The E2STEM Digitech Golden Girls team won a regional prize at the 2024 Technovation Girls competition for their G-Power app. Supplied
In a fitting reward to their passion, Cambodia’s E2STEM Digitech Golden Girls team has emerged as the Asia Regional Winners of the beginner division of the prestigious 2024 Technovation Girls competition.
The Golden Girls, Vatanak Sonita, Vathanak Serei Rachana, Wongjun Phim Phkan and Duch Chan Panhadeth, are all 12 years of age, and share an abiding interest in technology.
Their winning entry, the G-Power app, is a pioneering educational tool aimed at empowering young girls to pursue education and overcome the barriers they face in achieving equal opportunities.
G-Power, which stands for "Girl-Power”, is an Android-based application designed to encourage girls aged 6 to 12 to stay in school by offering educational content from CARE International and UNICEF.
The app is particularly impactful because it can be used offline, making it accessible to children in remote areas with limited internet connectivity.
“Our app is designed for girls aged 6 to 12 and their parents,” the Golden Girls explained.
They shared how the inspiration behind G-Power is deeply rooted in the realities of Cambodian society.
“In our community, poverty, gender roles, traditions and child labour are all challenges for girls remaining enrolled in school,” they said.
It was this observation led them to develop the app, which not only provides educational content but also raises awareness of the importance of girls' education.
The app features lessons and quizzes that emphasise gender equality and the long-term benefits of education.
The journey to developing G-Power was not without its challenges. The four girls applied for the mentorship programme at the E2STEM Digitech Technovation Club.
The team, mentored by Karla Sato, a production engineer at E2STEM Digitech, spent countless hours coding, problem-solving and learning to work together.
“Sato has been a valuable resource, empowering us with the skills we needed to win the Asia regional prize,” they said, acknowledging the support they received throughout the process.
Looking ahead, the Golden Girls have ambitious plans to expand G-Power. They are already working on an iOS version of the app and intend to collaborate with UNICEF, the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport and the Ministry of Women's Affairs to further develop and maintain the app.
“We plan to continue enhancing our coding skills to develop future features for our app,” they added, underscoring their commitment to the sustainability of the app.
They believed that the success of G-Power at the competition was not just a victory for their team, but also a step forward in the broader movement to improve educational opportunities for girls in Cambodia.
“Our vision is for all girls and boys in Cambodia to achieve high literacy standards and secure a better future: 'Education for all, together we can make it!'” they said, demonstrating their dedication to having a lasting impact.
As the Technovation Girls 2024 competition continues to inspire young female technologists worldwide, the story of the Golden Girls and G-Power serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when passion meets purpose.
