SA businesses need to encourage women in tech
28 February 2023
Editor's Choice
South Africa is known for its diversity and progressive society, yet in the field of technology, there is still a significant gender imbalance. Women are under-represented in the technology industry, both in terms of employment and leadership positions. This is not only a missed opportunity for women but also for South African businesses. To remain competitive in a rapidly changing technological landscape, businesses need to cultivate and support women in tech.
The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) reported in 2022 that the percentage of female employees in the telecommunications sector had decreased by as much as 32,9%. This decrease was based on the reported number of women employed which dropped from 12 820 in 2020 to merely 8603 in 2021.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is commemorated on 11 February, and is the ideal opportunity for businesses in the technology sector to show its support of young women and also to consider how to motivate them to work in this challenging, yet rewarding, field.
One of the main reasons for the lack of women in tech is a lack of representation in the education system. From a young age, girls are neither encouraged to pursue careers in technology nor given the opportunity to develop skills in this field. In most technology classes at school level – Information Technology, Physical Science, Coding and Robotics, and Engineering Graphics and Design – males far outnumber the females enrolled. This leads to a shortage of women in the pipeline for technology jobs.
Another reason for the low representation of women in tech is the prevalence of gender bias in the workplace. Women are often undervalued and not given equal opportunities to advance in their careers. This leads to a lack of women in senior positions, making it harder for them to serve as role models and mentors for the next generation of women in tech, which simply exacerbates the problem.
Businesses need to invest in education and training programmes to help women develop their technical skills. This can include offering paid internships, sponsoring technical certifications, or partnering with local schools and universities to provide mentorship opportunities.
Businesses also need to work with the wider community to raise awareness of the importance of women in tech. This can involve sponsoring events, hosting workshops, and collaborating with other organisations to promote the value of women in the technology industry.
Cultivating women in tech is necessary, as they often bring different perspectives, skills, and experiences to the workplace, which can drive innovation and hopefully lead to a better business outcome.
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