Lucide Pascale's journey: Empowered by the African Girls Can Code & Siemens EmpowerHER Initiative

Lucide Pascale Isingizwe's journey is a powerful example of how the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI), organized by UN Women, has transformed lives and opened doors to incredible opportunities. Selected as a beneficiary of the AGCCI, followed by her participation in the Siemens EmpowerHer program, Lucide embraced each opportunity with determination and a passion to excel.

On 12 September 2024, Lucide was chosen to represent Rwanda at the prestigious Bürgerfest Citizens' Festival at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, hosted by the Federal President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Elke Büdenbender. This opportunity allowed her to showcase her skills and represent Africa's growing tech talent as an AGCCI and Siemens EmpowerHER ambassador, together with other five AGCCI alumni from South Africa, Kenya, and Senegal.

Additionally, Lucide serves as the representative of the African Girls Can Code inaugural cohort, where she has played a key role in supporting the coordination of alumni engagements, among other responsibilities.

For Lucide, the trip to Berlin was nothing short of a dream come true, it marked her first time flying and traveling outside of Rwanda, a start to a journey into a new world of possibilities, filled with opportunities to grow, network, and showcase her talent on an international stage.

Lucide and her fellow AGCCI alumni attended an event hosted by Siemens SANS and Allianz, where she delivered a speech to a distinguished audience in the tech industry. Her words, born from her personal experience and growth through the Cyber Talent Academy, resonated with the audience, adding a personal touch to the discussions on the future of tech education.

The highlight of the trip came on September 13th, when Lucide attended the Bürgerfest at Bellevue Palace as a VIP guest. She met the Federal President and even had a conversation with the First Lady of Germany. As a young woman from Rwanda, these moments marked significant milestones not only for her personal growth but also for her journey in breaking stereotypes and redefining the narrative of African girls in tech.

Throughout the trip, Lucide continued to inspire others, teaching coding to children during the public opening of the festival. This act of "paying it forward" reflected her commitment to uplifting others as she continues to break barriers.

Lucide's experience in Berlin culminated in recognition for her exceptional performance in the SANS certification program. This recognition fueled her drive even further, proving that with hard work and perseverance, the possibilities are endless.

The African Girls Can Code & Siemens EmpowerHER initiative has empowered Lucide to reach for opportunities she once thought were beyond her reach.

“Her story is a testament to how initiatives like the African Girls Can Code & Siemens EmpowerHER can equip young women with the skills, confidence, and platforms to thrive in a global, tech-driven world. Through her experience, Lucide has become a beacon of hope, not only for other young women in Rwanda but across Africa.

Her journey continues, and with each step forward, Lucide's story serves as a reminder of the transformative power of education, empowerment, and the belief that African girls can and will lead in technology” said Pearl Karungi, Communications Analyst and Lead AGCCI Programme Coordinator in Rwanda.