Reine Essobmadje, Digital Woman and ICT4MDG volunteer
Femmes du Numérique:To begin with, what is your definition of “digital”?
Reine Essobmadje:Digital technology is the sum total of information and communication techniques and technologies applied across various sectors of activity for sustainable and inclusive development.
FDN:Women, an opportunity for digital. Digital, an opportunity for women. What do you think about it? Why did you choose this sector?
RE :I work as an international ICT consultant. Trained as an engineer, I provide consultancy, strategy and technical assistance to project owners:
- Industry players (ministries in charge of the digital economy, regulators, telecom operators and ISPs)
- Sector beneficiaries (end customers such as banks, etc. for the implementation of technological solutions)
FDN:In addition to your professional activity, you are also involved in social and humanitarian work on a voluntary basis. How do you reconcile the two? Does it contribute to your balance?
RE:There’s no real break between my professional and voluntary activities. Whether in the associations of which I’m a member (or founder) or as a one-off volunteer for other associations (Lions Club entrepreneurship competition for Suresnes 3rdgraders, Women Engineers), I’m committed to helping young people create and innovate on an international scale. A touch of hope that motivates young people, especially girls. I try to instill in them the desire to fight and take their destiny into their own hands, to make their mark on this century. In return, their energy and positive outlook inspire me to keep going.
FDN:Tell us about the association you’re involved with. What does it do? What is your mission?
RE:ICT4MDG is a non-profit association promoting ICT for the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals). Our aim is to popularize and promote ICTs through innovative programs such as the ICT Days organized since 2010, Hack4Cause, etc. Our credo is inclusive development through technological innovation. The association is registered in France and Cameroon and covers both continents.
Our Vision :
- Creating Silicon Valley
- Be a pool of references (technical, human and professional) in the field of ICT
- To be a player, a force for proposals within government departments and other institutional decision-makers.
- Supporting the implementation of eco-responsible technological solutions
- Fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and the integration of women in STEM fields
We work for:
- Promoting inclusive development through the use of ICTs
- Promoting digital entrepreneurship
- Empowering people in rural areas
- Reducing the digital divide between men and women
- Giving young people the tools to develop and appropriate technology through use
FDN:How do you defend gender equality in your professional, personal and community life?
RE:The Economist has published an article on the “power of parity” which, in a nutshell, underlines the power of parity by explaining its positive impact on wealth creation worldwide. In the digital sector, attracting more and more women is an asset for innovation, creativity and diversity.
It’s also a formidable tool for promoting the role of women in society and preventing violence. To this end, our association demystifies technology by proving to young girls that it’s possible to be modern, intelligent and work in a sector that society considers masculine. We encourage young girls to take up technical and scientific careers, as well as entrepreneurship, while ignoring stereotypes.
FDN:What advice would you give to a young woman hesitating to work or start a business in the digital sector?
RE: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” Peter Drucker
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Biography
Reine Essobmadje is the founder of Evolving Consulting, a consulting, training and transactional services firm specializing in ICT (information, communication and telecommunication technologies). Evolving Consulting is based in France, with a subsidiary in Cameroon, and operates in Europe and Africa.
She holds an Executive MBA from IE Business School (including an exchange program with Singapore Management University), an engineering degree from ECE Paris (including an exchange program with Stafford University in the UK) and a BTS in Industrial Computing, and very early on specialized in telecoms economics, strategy and regulation, advising the private and public sectors on sector policy, cyber strategy and the deployment of innovative technological solutions.
With a dual Franco-Cameroonian culture, Reine is an advocate of ICTs for development and of the potential of the digital economy. She is also the promoter of the ICT days launched in 2010, and of Hack4Cause (application development sessions for young people and girls) via the ICT4MDG association she co-founded.
Both an entrepreneur and a gender and diversity activist, this scientist is a member of the following organizations, for which she writes articles on the themes of women, entrepreneurship, engineering and the role of the diaspora in development: INWES (International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists), FMOI – WIE Comité (Fédération Mondiale des Organisations d’Ingénieur -Women In Engineering), Club 21e Siècle.
As an international consultant and UN expert, she has conducted the following studies:
- Technical Assistance to the Ministry of Posts of Burundi for a tariff study on interconnection regimes as an ITU (International Telecommunication Union) Expert
- World Bank consultant for e-strategy and ICT PPPs in Congo
- World Bank trainer on the legal and regulatory framework in CameroonWorld Bank consultant for the development of a legal and regulatory regime for broadband in Congo