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How Kenyan girls are transforming public health through data science.

Patrick V. Verkooijen.

The 6th Chancellor of the University of Nairobi Prof. Patrick V. Verkooijen.

Photo credit: Boniface Bogita | Nation Media Group

In today’s world, data science is redefining how we approach public health. From predicting disease outbreaks to guiding decisions on resource allocation, data’s role in healthcare is indispensable. But there’s a glaring issue in this field: it’s overwhelmingly male.

Globally, only 22% of data scientists are women, a disparity that has real consequences. When health data science lacks women’s perspectives, it inadvertently perpetuates biases in systems that are supposed to serve everyone.

This is where the ENGAGE project steps in. Led by the University of Nairobi in partnership with the University of San Francisco, ENGAGE—short for ENabling Girls in AI and Growing Expertise in Data Science—is on a mission to empower girls and young women across Kenya with data science skills, particularly for use in public health. This project is about more than just numbers and coding; it’s about creating pathways for young women to influence healthcare decisions in ways that are fair, informed, and inclusive.

Why does this matter? In countries like Kenya, where healthcare systems are increasingly reliant on data, a lack of diversity among data scientists can lead to models that overlook or misinterpret the needs of women and girls. In practice, this is not just a technical shortfall—it’s a social justice issue. ENGAGE will be addressing this by training 480 young women from secondary schools and 405 from diploma programs over five years, building a pathway to equip them with the skills to lead in health data science.

 Talented in math

Imagine a young girl in rural Kenya who’s talented in math but has never been exposed to data science. Through ENGAGE, she learns coding and machine learning, equipping her with tools that can one day help her address healthcare needs in her own community. This project is designed to make this possible. By offering tailored programs for different education levels—from secondary school students to diploma holders and undergraduates—ENGAGE ensures that young women across Kenya can access this critical training.

The impact of ENGAGE goes beyond individual empowerment. Machine learning in healthcare can predict who’s at risk of losing access to care, identify potential health crisis early, and personalize healthcare interventions. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, predictive analytics shaped responses that saved lives.

By giving young women these skills, ENGAGE not only opens up career paths in a fast-growing field but also empowers them to improve health outcomes in their communities. One of ENGAGE’s distinguishing features is its focus on reaching women in rural areas, where training in data science is rare.

 By partnering with six regional universities across Kenya, the project ensures that young women, even in remote areas, have access to transformative education in AI and data science. From the coast to Rift Valley, Western, central, and eastern Kenya, ENGAGE is deliberately reaching far beyond urban centers.

Moreover, ENGAGE doesn’t stop at technical skills. It also offers mentorship and hands-on experience. Trainees will work on real-world projects, collaborate with data scientists, and intern with health organizations, building practical skills and professional networks. This approach ensures that when these young women graduate, they are not only knowledgeable but also connected to a community of professionals who are committed to using data to make healthcare better. ENGAGE is about creating a new generation of women leaders in health data science. It’s about breaking down the biases that have long shaped healthcare systems and building a future where health decisions are informed by diverse perspectives. By investing in these young women, Kenya is investing in a future where its health systems are stronger, more equitable, and more resilient.

As the ENGAGE project rolls out over the next five years, its impact will extend beyond the participants to the communities they serve. When the next health crisis hits, imagine knowing that the data models guiding public policy will be shaped by a team of data scientists that includes women from rural Kenya—women who started their journey with ENGAGE, learning to code and analyze data to address the real challenges their communities face.

Kenya’s health future is brighter because of the ENGAGE project. The young women who emerge from this program will be among the country’s leading data scientists, shaping a healthcare system that truly serves everyone. This is a story of empowerment, equity, and hope—a story we should all support.

Prof. Julius Oyugi is the Director of Research at UNITID and Principal Investigator of the ENGAGE Project at the University of Nairobi. ENGAGE project is sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceutical. You can reach him at [email protected].