For All Women and Girls: Lucide Pascale's Journey in STEM

Curiosity and Inspiration: The Beginning of a STEM Journey

Isingizwe Mpuhwe Lucide Pascale, a 20 year old Computer Engineering student at the University of Rwanda Kigali, Rwanda Has always been curious about how things work

. “Even before I knew what STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) was, I found myself drawn to problem-solving and innovation. Throughout my academic journey, I was consistently among the top performers in my class, which motivated me to pursue STEM subjects at an advanced level.” Lucide says.

Seeing women and girls in STEM fields on social media inspired her— she thought they looked so cool.

“I also had strong support from my family and teachers, who recognized my interests and encouraged me to follow them. Now, I am pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, turning that early curiosity into a meaningful career path." she tells us.

Overcoming Challenges and Finding Support for Women and Girls In Stem

Despite Africa having the highest proportion of female STEM graduates globally, with 47% of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics graduates being women, significant challenges remain. Women are still underrepresented in senior academic positions and face barriers such as gender biases and unequal opportunities. Women and girls in Rwanda usually face challenges including a lack of emotional support, financial support, and difficulty acquiring the necessary tools when trying to get in the STEM world.

"One of the biggest challenges I faced was that inner voice that crept in whenever my courses or projects felt overwhelming, asking, 'Why not choose something easier instead of STEM?'” Lucide says. “Sometimes, people around me echoed similar doubts, saying, 'You’re a girl, you don’t need to stress yourself.' When you're already at a difficult point, hearing those words can make it even harder to keep going. Beyond that, I also faced practical challenges, like not having a computer while studying computer science.  I learned to adapt and make the most of what I had."” she adds.

Lucide points out self-doubt— a lack of role models and the lack of support as other challenges girls face as they try to persist in STEM fields.

Making a Difference and Creating Change

" Lucide speaks highly of AGCCI “AGCCI gave me the confidence to fully embrace my passion for tech and pursue Computer Engineering without hesitation. I became more intentional about self-learning, researching, and seeking out opportunities that would help me grow in my career.”

As a result of her tenacity, Lucide represented Africa at the Bürgerfest Festival in Germany in September 2024 and she is a peer mentor in the Siemens EmpowerHer program.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: Progress and Challenges

Lucide shares her thoughts on the progress made since the Beijing Declaration, particularly in education and training for women.

She sees significant progress, today girls have the right to go to school, and there are programs specifically designed to support women and girls in STEM. Additionally, more women are stepping into leadership roles worldwide and pursuing careers of their choice without as many restrictions.

However, despite this progress, Lucide point out that while more girls are encouraged to study STEM, retaining them in these fields and ensuring equal career growth opportunities is still a challenge that needs to be addressed.

For All Women and Girls…

Lucide has one strong message for all the women and girls across the world who are trying to break into STEM fields. "Dare to try. Any career you want to achieve is within your reach, despite the discouragement you may face. You are capable, you are needed, and you belong in any field you choose. Never let stereotypes define your potential."