Faria Habib

Bangladeshi tech pioneer democratizing STEM education for girls

Faria Habib is the founder of Code Chix, a Bangladesh-based nonprofit that has trained over 25,000 girls in coding and robotics since 2019. Growing up in rural Bangladesh, Habib witnessed the gender gap in STEM fields firsthand - only 12% of tech professionals in the country are women. Her solution? A mobile learning lab that travels to underserved areas, offering hands-on workshops in Python, AI, and IoT using recycled materials.

Code Chix's signature 'Tech Trekker' program has established 120+ community tech hubs across 18 districts, with 65% of graduates securing tech internships or starting their own ventures. Habib's most groundbreaking project is the Girls Gear initiative, which designs affordable STEM kits using locally sourced materials. These kits have been replicated in 12 countries through UNESCO partnerships.

In 2022, Habib was awarded the UN Women Empower2030 Prize for her work advancing gender equality in education. Her TEDx Talk "Building Tomorrow's Innovators Today" highlights how technology can bridge socioeconomic divides. Code Chix's impact report shows 89% of program participants pursue STEM degrees, compared to the national average of 34%.