In July 2025, I had the privilege of attending the Women and Girls in Cyber Conference, organized by MACRA in partnership with the Malawi Government. Hosted at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC), the three-day event brought together women, girls, and industry leaders under the theme: “She Secures: Building a Stronger and Resilient Cyber Ecosystem in Malawi.”
This was my second time attending, and returning to such a powerful platform was truly motivating. Representing the PayChangu Women Tech Team, I was surrounded by women and girls who are passionate about shaping Malawi’s digital future.
My Key Takeaways
The conference was packed with empowering sessions designed to empower, inspire, and educate. Here are a few highlights that stood out for me:
- Rewriting the Cyber Narrative: Hearing from women leaders who turned challenges into success stories reminded me that the future of cybersecurity in Malawi must include women at every level.
- Demystifying AI & Emerging Tech: I learned how artificial intelligence and other new technologies can create opportunities for young people—if we embrace them responsibly.
- Cyber Sisterhood & Mentorship: The discussions on mentorship showed just how important it is to lift each other up as we grow in this space.
- Impostor Syndrome in Tech: Listening to women openly address self-doubt made me realize that confidence is built through community and shared stories.
Participation and Recognition
This year’s conference also gave me a chance to be actively involved. I joined the Airtel Malawi competition and was thrilled to emerge as one of the winners of a Wi-Fi router; a simple but powerful tool that helps me stay connected and continue growing in this digital space.
I also want to say congratulations to Uchindami Kachale for winning the Hackathon. Achievements like these prove just how much potential Malawian youth have when given the right platforms.
A Call to Action for Companies
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One message I carried home is that representation matters. I call on companies across Malawi to ensure their female employees and interns attend future editions of this conference. The knowledge shared, the mentorship opportunities, and the exposure to global cyber trends are investments that will benefit not only individuals but also the organizations they represent.
Looking Ahead
While I attended as a participant, I left with a bigger dream: to one day return to this platform as a speaker. I love sharing knowledge, and I aspire to be a visionary in Malawi’s cybersecurity space; inspiring more women and girls to step into tech with confidence.
This conference showed me once again that cybersecurity is not just about technology; it’s about people, community, and resilience. And I’m excited to be part of this journey.