Different Contexts, Common Aspirations: Young Women Turning Digital Skills into Community Change

Across different communities in Kenya and globally, young people are navigating vastly different realities. Some are pursuing higher education, others are building businesses, championing social causes, or creating solutions within their communities. Yet despite these differences, many share the same hopes: meaningful opportunities, quality education, good health, safety, dignity, and the chance to shape their future. This year's International Youth Day theme, "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations," recognizes this shared vision and celebrates young people as active drivers of change. For three alumnae of the African Girls Can Code Initiative (AGCCI), the theme is not just a slogan but a reflection of their lived experiences and the impact they are creating within their communities.

Observed annually on 12 August, International Youth Day highlights the contributions of young people to sustainable development while drawing attention to the challenges they continue to face. The 2026 theme acknowledges that while youth come from diverse geographical, social, economic, and cultural backgrounds, their aspirations remain remarkably similar. It also emphasizes the importance of global solidarity, collective solutions to shared challenges, and youth-led innovation. Around the world, young people are stepping forward to address issues such as unemployment, digital exclusion, mental health, climate change, and inequality. Their efforts demonstrate resilience, creativity, and a determination to build inclusive and sustainable societies.  AGCCI alumnae are among those translating ambition into action, using technology and innovation to tackle challenges in their communities.

For Cantwel Njeri, from Mathare, an informal settlement in Nairobi, youth leadership means identifying a challenge and taking action. A graduate of the AGCCI 2025 Cohort 2, Cantwel founded Build and Bloom Africa, a free digital literacy programme that introduces children aged 9 to 16 to computer and digital skills. The initiative was born out of the realization that many children in her community had never had the opportunity to use a computer. What began as a small holiday project has grown into a programme that empowers children across multiple grades with digital literacy skills, reaching an increasing number of girls, and equipping them to thrive in Kenya’s rapidly growing digital landscape.

Reflecting on International Youth Day, Cantwel says the global observance reminds her that young people are united by a common purpose despite differing circumstances. "This day reminded me that we can all be in different spaces, doing different work, yet still moving toward the same goal. The theme, 'Different Contexts, Same Aspirations,' captured that perfectly. Whether we're in a classroom, a community centre, or a boardroom, young people across contexts are united by shared dreams for a better future."

Cantwel attributes her confidence to take initiative to the AGCCI programme. "Before AGCCI, I might have waited for someone else to bring the change. But the training gave me the boldness to act instead of waiting, to start Build and Bloom Africa rather than hope someone else would." While the programme continues to make a difference, access to technology remains a challenge. With only one laptop available for twenty children, she often relies on friends and volunteers to lend equipment during lessons. Despite these difficulties, she remains committed to creating opportunities for young learners. Her message to fellow youth is simple but powerful: "You are the change you are longing for. No one is coming to save you. Get up and use whatever resources and knowledge you already have, no matter how small, to start making that change happen."

For Phelister Amondi Awuor from Dagoretti, youth empowerment is closely linked to innovation and mental well-being. A data science student and founder of Framdi Games, a mental health-focused social enterprise, Phelister credits AGCCI with providing skills and networks that strengthened her journey as a young entrepreneur. Through interactions with young women from different parts of Kenya, she gained fresh perspectives and the confidence to continue building solutions that matter.

"Meeting and connecting with young people at the event opened me up to new perspectives and courage," she says. "I was inspired by what different people are doing. Hearing the zeal and stories in their voices taught me to keep dreaming. For me, this is a day to remember that we are capable of making the change that we want to see."

Like many young people, Phelister faces challenges related to accessing mental health support. She manages these pressures through self-care, taking breaks, and applying some of the approaches promoted through her social enterprise. Her advice to fellow youth speaks to the power of recognizing existing potential: "We have everything we need to create change. We just have to look closer."

Meanwhile, Sharon Kavuu Mbola, an AGCCI Cohort 1 alumna, is charting a path in technology and cybersecurity while pursuing a Bachelor of Education in Mathematics and Chemistry. Her journey reflects the growing number of young women entering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields and using their expertise to solve real-world challenges.

For Sharon, International Youth Day is a celebration of youth agency and innovation. "Young people are active innovators and solution-builders today, not just leaders of tomorrow," she says. "It represents a celebration of resilience, agency, and the power of youth leveraging technology and education to drive community-level impact."

One of Sharon's proudest achievements has been applying her cybersecurity knowledge to advance online safety. As a speaker during International Youth Day activities, she facilitated discussions on Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), helping to raise awareness of online risks faced by women and girls. Although balancing academic studies with professional development has not been easy, Sharon has remained focused through disciplined learning and mentorship. Encouraging other young people to pursue opportunities fearlessly, she says: "Step boldly into spaces where you feel underrepresented. Your perspective is valuable. Embrace digital tools, stay relentlessly curious, and never wait for permission to create solutions for the challenges around you."

The achievements of Cantwel, Phelister, and Sharon reflect the broader impact of the AGCCI, implemented by UN Women in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union and the African Union. AGCCI equips young women and girls with digital literacy, coding, leadership, and innovation skills, enabling them to participate meaningfully in the growing digital economy. Beyond technical training, the programme creates supportive networks that encourage young women to pursue careers in technology, entrepreneurship, and community leadership. Through AGCCI, participants gain the skills, confidence, and connections needed to transform ideas into impactful initiatives that address local and global challenges.

As the world marks International Youth Day 2026, the stories of these young women demonstrate that while contexts may differ, aspirations remain remarkably similar. Whether bridging the digital divide in Mathare, promoting mental well-being through social innovation, or creating safer digital spaces through cybersecurity, they are proving that young people are not waiting for change. They are leading it. Their journeys serve as a reminder that when youth are equipped with skills, opportunities, and supportive communities, they become powerful catalysts for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future for all.