more than half of all young people won’t have the basic skills needed to enter the workforce of the future Girls and young women in particular will be left behind Learning science and technology prepares girls to meet that challenge It also helps them to overcome social stereotypes develop critical thinking and leadership skills and contribute positively to their communities This week marked International Day of Women and Girls in Science we believe no girl and young woman should have her opportunities curtailed From coding to learning how to build a computer we’re determined to prepare girls for future careers – including in the STEM sector We have been running projects in several countries to help girls and young women gain the digital skills they need for their future “Girls and women are stepping up like never before in the science and tech spaces,” said Theirworld Chair Sarah Brown more doors to open and more opportunities for learning As part of our Spotlight On .. series and to mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we spoke to Stacy Irara, Programs Coordinator for our project partner Youth for Technology Foundation (YTF) in Kenya Theirworld partners with YTF in Kenya to give girls digital skills (YTF) during my second year of studying civil engineering I participated as a volunteer during Africa Code Week through a friend’s invite The day’s activities really interested me and I kept in touch with the then Programs Manager I then came in as a Master Trainer for the Code Clubs programme in partnership with Theirworld Fast forward three years and I am now working as the Programs Coordinator for YTF in Kenya With more than 70% of Kenyan youth being unemployed YTF delivers programmes that utilise technology to inspire youth and women in low-income communities to create innovative solutions to the challenges they encounter in their own communities They can even create their own entrepreneurial opportunities in this Fourth Industrial Revolution  the government of Kenya launched the new Competency Based Curriculum (CBC) and a new education system The core highlights of the new system include creativity The greatest change is the incorporation of technology in the classroom the government cannot cater for all stakeholders – teachers They require organisations like YTF to help bridge the gap  You not only get a career and change of life but you also get to inspire a generation Why is it important for girls and their communities to learn about science and tech their confidence to explore and create will help them find solutions for their specific problems in their communities I believe that I can handle any obstacle I face At times all I need is to pause and take a look again – a different perspective goes a long way Tech skills also help girls to develop creativity I was selected as one of the Unleashlab talents in Shenzhen working on Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Build resilient infrastructure promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation) Our project is ongoing and will help make the world a better place emerged among the top students in the KCPE national exams Testimonies from herself and her teachers accredited the great performance to her participation in tech activities that YTF brought to the school As an engineer and a tech lady in a male-dominated sector I know that self-presentation is a key element to being a player on the table Experience is education outside a classroom That I will be able to engage in different projects and activities that will help make people’s lives better in my community That I will get a chance to nurture a young mind in STEM and all the endless opportunities See all news and ways that you can take action to tackle the global education crisis Theirworld is a global children’s charity committed to ending the global education crisis and unleashing the potential of the next generation Hotel where refugee Mohammed Munib Majeedi died was subject of fire enforcement action The hotel where a five-year-old Afghan refugee fell to his death last week was the subject of a fire enforcement action when the Home Office placed Afghan families there fell from a ninth-floor window at the Oyo Metropolitan hotel where he was quarantining with his family after arriving from Afghanistan issued by South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue service ordered a series of improvement works to be carried out after identifying multiple fire risks at the hotel The notice is still in place as the works programme has not yet been completed The disclosure comes as an inquest was opened and adjourned into the boy’s death at Sheffield coroner’s court Concerns raised by the fire service in their enforcement notice report include: Fire safety risk assessment not suitable and sufficient Escape routes and exits could not be used as quickly and safely as possible Insufficient evacuation procedures and drills to be followed in the event of serious and imminent danger Structural and passive fire precautions inadequately maintained the hotel addressed the cladding concerns before it was booked for the Afghan families They insisted that all hotels booked by the government must comply with relevant health and safety legislation and provide their latest health and safety risk assessment is investigating the incident with specialist input from the Health & Safety Executive said: “The news that an enforcement notice was issued by the fire service only reinforces the serious concerns we have about the safety of the hotel accommodation being used and flies in the face of assurances given about it This tragic and avoidable loss of life must trigger a nationwide review of the safety of the accommodation of this kind which is being used.” The Oyo Metropolitan hotel Photograph: Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesA South Yorkshire fire & rescue service spokesperson said: “An enforcement notice was served on Oyo on 3 November 2020 following a fire safety audit by South Yorkshire fire & rescue inspecting officers The enforcement notice remains in place and relates to a number of articles under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 As with all enforcement action we undertake we are working with the responsible persons to resolve the issues.” Opening the inquest into the boy’s death on Wednesday the assistant coroner Tanyka Rawden said emergency services were called to the car park next to the hotel on 18 August after reports Munib had fallen onto the roof from a hotel window above He was taken to Sheffield Children’s hospital by ambulance but was pronounced dead on arrival Rawden offered her “heartfelt condolences” to Munib’s family before adjourning the inquest until 16 November Munib’s father worked for Irara a Sheffield-based nonprofit organisation that helps failed asylum seekers reintegrate into their home country when deported from the UK He was Irara’s head of operations in Kabul before moving to work for the British embassy “We worked with the Majeedi family when the father was in Kabul leading our operations to support people rebuilding their lives in Afghanistan He is a great person who has dedicated his life to helping others,” he said Irara liaised with the Home Office to try to get the family resettled in Sheffield so the father could work for the organisation again Davenport started a crowdfunding appeal for the Majeedi family The hotel was empty on Wednesday and a security guard said there was no one available to answer questions Sheffield’s Labour MPs and the Refugee Council have called for an independent review into the circumstances surrounding Munib’s death in order to establish how vulnerable families came to be placed in the hotel Federal government has welcomed 36 migrants from Sweden who had irregular status in the country Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) received the returnees on behalf of the federal government The reception took place at the International Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja yesterday The federal commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees who was represented by the director of Migrant Affairs Catherine Udida emphasised government’s commitment to integrating these returnees into various programmes and initiatives that align with the president’s renewed hope agenda “The government is dedicated to providing support and opportunities for the migrants to rebuild their lives The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and civil society organisations also provide shelter and support We will also continue to counsel them to reintegrate properly,” Ahmed said Ahmed highlighted the government’s dedication to the safe return and integration of Nigerian migrants emphasising its efforts to address the challenges faced by vulnerable citizens He said this collective endeavour is a significant step towards promoting social cohesion the migrants were provided with dignity kits and transported by NCFRMI in collaboration with International Returns and Reintegration Assistance (IRARA) to offer temporary shelter said each returnees will receive onward transportation allowances of N158,000 to help them reach their final destinations © 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved © 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja by officials of the National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) International Returns and Reintegration Assistance (IRARA) facilitated the return of the migrants Read Also: CSO writes Gov Yusuf to investigate alleged hidden agenda in AGILE Project The Director of Migrant Affairs of the Commission Ambassador Catherine Udida explained what could have led to the deportation they would have been contacted and informed that their visa had expired or they had overstayed “They would have been informed to leave and if after one or two trials they are given the opportunity to return and they (migrants) refuse to return then the country starts processing their deportation because it is different from those who come back voluntarily.” Read Also: VCs, ASUU fault FG’s demand for varsities 40% IGR Udida said the deportees have been profiled and the vulnerable ones have been identified “We will also send them to the various shelters we have and keep counseling them to accept the fact that they are back home and they have opportunities to start their lives there is usually a livelihood support scheme that is provided and they go for training with stipends attached the onus is on us as a government to make their lives as comfortable as possible migrants are kept for two weeks and even up to a year and whether they were deported or not they make sure they give them livelihood support Read Also: Reps to investigate utilization of COVID-19 funds by MDAs One of them who agreed to speak with newsmen with her identity concealed said she was whisked to the airport from her bed by Swedish immigration officials Some others explained they were not offenders and blamed the government of Sweden for what they called their unjust return Get Instant access to Solacebase Weekly Newsletter