Empowering Change: The Role of Women and Technology in the DRC's Digital Future
Discover how the DRC's rich mineral resources fuel global technology, and why women are key to shaping its digital revolution in this guest lecture with Neema Namadamu, founder and executive director at Hero Women Rising.
Co-sponsored by the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs and the Global Development program.
About the Speaker
Neema Namadamu is an internationally recognized advocate for peace, women’s rights, and environmental sustainability in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After contracting polio at the age of two, she became the first woman with a physical disability from her region to earn a university degree, defying societal expectations and paving the way for others. As the founder and executive director of Hero Women Rising, she has dedicated her career to empowering women and girls through technology access, leadership training, and grassroots activism. Her initiatives include the Mama Shujaa Center, which provides digital literacy and internet access to women, as well as projects focused on reforestation, girls’ education, and economic development for women with disabilities.
A former member of Parliament for South Kivu and advisor to the DRC’s Minister of Gender and Family, Namadamu has been widely recognized for her groundbreaking work. She was named one of the BBC’s 100 Most Influential and Inspiring Women in the World and has spoken at global forums such as the African Union Summit, Women in the World, and the U.S. State Department. Through her advocacy, she continues to challenge systemic barriers and champion a future where all individuals, regardless of gender or ability, can thrive.