NAGHAM KARAJEH

Gaza- The University College of Applied Sciences in the Gaza Strip launched activities to mark the International Girls in ICT Day, annually observed on the fourth Thursday in April. As part of the activities, a technology exhibition was held. Many girls displayed their technology projects at the exhibition.

Her project aims to protect children from radiation exposure

Attending the exhibition with her three projects, Layan Al-Habibi spoke to NuJINHA about one of her projects aiming to protect children from radiation exposure. “My project named ‘Safe Distance’ aims to protect children from radiation exposure by using ultrasonic sensors that measure the distance between television and children. When children come close to the television, it emits a buzzing sound in order to warn them.”

Her robot keeps a fire under control until fire trucks arrive

Another project of Layan Al-Habibi is called “Firefighting robot”. She decided to launch such a project due to the increased number of house fires caused by gas leaks and the lack of fire-fighting facilities, “Sometimes the fire trucks arrive very late. This robot has three sensors and an automatic water pump to keep a fire under control until fire trucks arrive,” she told us.

She built a wheelchair

Another participant of the exhibition with her project, Sidra Abdel Bari designed and built a wheelchair with her friend Rahaf Shaqliyeh. “Women and children are the most affected by wars and crises. We decided to design and build a wheelchair due to the increasing number of disabilities in Palestine,” said Sidra Abdel Bari, stressing that women and girls can develop projects that benefit society in general and women in particular.”

Sidra Abdel Bari and Rahaf Shaqliyeh won the competition for the best project at the technology exhibition.

“Our aim is to close gender gaps in digital access and skills’

NuJINHA also spoke to Manar Abu Al-Khair, one of the organizers of the activities to mark the International Girls in ICT Day, about the aims of their activities. “Women and girls have already proved their important roles in the development of their societies. Gazan girls are now able to travel to Egypt to take artificial intelligence courses. Our aim is to encourage girls to be professionals not only in Palestine but also all around the world.”

Noting that the aim of their activities is to close gender gaps in digital access and skills, Manar Abu Al-Khair said, “Our other aim is to encourage women and girls to play their roles in the digital world. Though efforts to close these gaps have led to improvements in the gender parity score, the absolute gap between men and women’s access has actually increased by 20 million since 2019. Girls now have an opportunity to close these gender gaps and improve their skills. We call on all girls to think about working in technology and gain experience to keep pace with technological developments.”