TRENDING

African ICT enterprises need to consciously build a pipeline of aspiring women in technology by focusing on and encouraging continued education , starting from high school , says Thenji Sithole from Absa .

This shortage of representation is compounded by a lack of young females joining the talent pool . According to the World Economic Forum ’ s Global Gender Gap Report 2021 , less than 13 % of women choose to study in science , technology , engineering , and mathematics , STEM disciplines in South Africa . The study found that it will take 121.7 years to close the gender gap in sub- Saharan Africa . encouraging continued education . This should start as early as high school , and even before learners are given an opportunity to make subject choices .

Businesses additionally need to provide the relevant training and experience for women in technology , which will enable them to grow into more senior roles . They then need to bolster this support by providing continued mentorship and guidance that will enable women in technology to thrive when they occupy senior roles .

This can be achieved by ensuring that there is buy-in from the top , changing company policies around targets for women in senior and leadership roles , setting up targets that are linked to remuneration and providing financial support to women at all levels , for them to further studies within the technology discipline .

Organisations in the industry need to consciously build a pipeline of women in technology by focusing on and

Unlocking the value of women in the workplace and bridging the gender divide in the technology sector

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