We have successfully completed our first Open Source for Equality Challenge! The results are impressive: five web apps by five female developers in four local languages, covering a range of topics that will help empower rural women in Uganda.
What is Open Source for Equality (OSEQ)?
The Open Source for Equality (OSEQ) challenge was launched in cooperation with the Response Innovation Lab Uganda in July 2022. The goal of the challenge was to encourage inclusive participation in open source projects. Participants could choose between three different tracks depending on their background: WOM.fm (for entry-level software developers), Curious Learner (for content creators), and Uganda EMR (for advanced software developers). The WOM.fm track, organized by the OSEQ team, brought together selected female developers with relevant projects to create audio web applications that address the real needs of local women's organizations.
WOM.fm Track Projects
The five projects of the WOM.fm track covered the following educational contents and languages:
- Tuberculosis in Lugbarati (WOM.fm/901; content from the German Leprosy Relief Association)
- Tuberculosis in Alur (WOM.fm/902; content from the German Leprosy Relief Association)
- Women's Health in Luganda (WOM.fm/903; content from Audiopedia)
- Digital Financial Literacy in Luo (WOM.fm/904; content from Strategic Impact Advisors)
- Nutrition in Luganda (WOM.fm/905; content from Audiopedia)
Development Process and Tools
All the web apps were developed using our WOM.fm Sandbox, a template on GitHub that facilitates the development of accessible web apps for digital audio. Each participant built her app privately on her own GitHub account with the support of our mentor, Fanny. Once completed, the apps were deployed to the WOM.fm platform, which is also hosted on GitHub.
Participant Backgrounds and Impact
Here is some background information about our five successful participants:
- Kemigisah Lailah Grant: A front-end web developer and IT employee at an early intervention centre who loves watching films.
- Winnie Nassozi: A forward-thinking software developer passionate about technology and continuously expanding her skills.
- Rebecca Florence Nanono: Co-founder of Shetechtive Uganda, ensuring girls and young women have access to equitable, quality, and inclusive education through innovative solutions.
- Bruni Nelly Shatu: A young mother pursuing a career in fashion and design, also working as a social media manager and learning web development.
- Jemimah Natasha Nyakato: A software developer and feminist passionate about technology, co-founder of Eco Options, an e-commerce startup for sustainable menstrual hygiene.
Key Takeaways and Future Scaling
This first group of participants was small, but it provided us with valuable insights for scaling our approach. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, encouraging us to continue promoting inclusive participation in open source projects. Through effective mentorship, hands-on learning, and real-world problem solving, we are paving the way for greater diversity in OSS.
For more updates on our initiatives, please sign up for our newsletter, or donate to help us drive greater impact. To learn more about our projects and read inspiring success stories, please visit our blog and explore our diverse playlist topics.