Celebrating Women in Tech: Code Blossom's IWD Event in Malawi
Alice Musukwa, Lead Mentor for Code Blossom in Africa, organized an inspiring gathering at Annie's Lodge in Blantyre, Malawi to celebrate International Women's Day 2025 and connect local Code Blossom participants with successful women in tech.
Why Malawi?
Malawi represents one of our key focus regions in Africa, where talented young women are eager to enter the tech industry but often lack the mentorship and community support needed to thrive. In our continued effort to build strong local tech communities, we're dedicated to fostering connections between our participants and established professionals who understand the unique challenges faced by women in the field.
A Morning of Inspiration and Connection
The March 8th event brought together eight Code Blossom participants with successful female developers from Malawi, creating a space for sharing experiences, advice, and motivation. Despite the brief three-hour format, the event was packed with impactful moments that left both participants and speakers energized about the future of women in tech in Malawi.
Our participants had the opportunity to hear from three remarkable women:
Sarah Msosa, Software Developer at Malawi Bureau of Standards (via video message)
Bridget Nyirongo, PhD candidate (Computer Science and Technology) at Beijing Institute in China (via Zoom)
Fannie Mangame Chamkakala, Software Development Specialist at FDH Bank
Alice's Thoughts on the Event
The gathering was immensly special. For many of our participants, as this was their first opportunity to meet face-to-face and connect with women who have successfully navigated careers in technology despite the challenges women often face in this field.
What struck me most was the immediate sense of community that formed. When Fannie shared her story of overcoming societal biases that suggest women cannot be developers, I could see our participants' faces light up with recognition and determination. These moments of connection are precisely why in-person events are so valuable alongside the digital nature of our curriculum. The most powerful moment for me was when our participants took turns explaining what Code Blossom means to them. Their words reaffirmed why we do this work: creating pathways for talented women to access education, mentorship, and career opportunities in technology. Seeing them interact with established professionals who share their background made the possibilities for their futures feel tangible and achievable.
Building Networks That Last
One of the key components of the event was our networking session, where we discussed effective strategies for professional networking and LinkedIn optimization. Fannie Mangame Chamkakala generously offered one-on-one mentorship to interested participants, and offered collaboration with GenHub. A social enterprise that deals with equality and social justice where she is a Lead.
Bridget Nyirongo is a former classmate and is onhand to offer any assistance in helping the participants navigate their tech journeys, as well as providing an international perspective on tech careers from her position in China and experience as a software engineer for over ten years. These ongoing connections are crucial for creating sustainable professional networks that our participants can rely on throughout their careers.
What's Next for Code Blossom Malawi
This event marked an important step in strengthening our Malawi community, but it's just the beginning. Based on participant feedback and the enthusiasm we witnessed, we're planning more extensive events in the coming months, including:
Full-day workshops with hands-on coding sessions led by local industry professionals
Engagement with local tech companies to create internship pathways for our participants
Join Our Mission
Code Blossom is committed to expanding our impact in Malawi and throughout Africa. Plans are currently underway for an additional class which aims to bring more women from Malawi into the Code Blossom program, providing them with the education and support needed to become successful software developers.
The enthusiasm and potential we witnessed at our International Women's Day event only reinforces our belief in the transformative power of education, mentorship, and community. With your support, we can continue building these crucial networks and creating opportunities for women in tech across Africa.
We want to sincerely thank Alice Musukwa for organizing this inspiring event, our amazing speakers for sharing their journeys, and our dedicated participants for their commitment to their learning paths. The future of women in tech in Malawi is bright, and we're honored to be part of this journey.
