Women in Tech Trailblazers: Breaking negative narratives for aspiring women and girls
Written by Rofhatutshedzwa Ramaswiela
There is a distinctive gender gap in technology. This gap is a complex issue rooted in historical, social, and economic factors. Factors that have influenced this issue include educational barriers, where several girls have unequal access to quality education, especially in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects (UNESCO, 2017). This inhibits these girls from pursuing careers in STEM, resulting in the lack of expansion of role models or mentors working in tech leadership or technical roles.
In order to mitigate and close the gender gap that exists in technology, alongside helping more women and girls to immerse themselves in STEM fields, there are women such as Prof. Geci Karuri-Sebina, who is a strategic thinker with significant experience in linking scientific and technological innovation with practical development needs and opportunities, specialising in science, technology & Innovation (STI) for development. According to Geci, there are few women at the level of a PhD or professorship in the space of digital anything, and that is something that needs to change. Additionally, it is imperative that women get, not just in spaces of leadership but also in areas of technical leadership, who can in turn be role models in the space and break narratives of lack of women in tech. This in turn creates a space where young girls and women can see themselves in spaces that they had less access to growing up.
Nkemkonam (Nkem) Agunwa is another African woman in tech, who is an adept communicator and digital campaigner. Nkem’s expertise in digital mass mobilisation for action has resulted in a series of impactful campaigns, some of these campaigns have combated forms of injustices that exists. Currently, in defending human rights, Nkem leverages the power of video and technology across Africa and focuses on combating false information and mis/disinformation that calls into question the veracity of video evidence and incite violence. This ensures that voices of individuals are heard through the understanding human rights impact of synthetic media and generative AI.
Lastly, Dr Nonhlanhla Sitole, who is a researcher with a background in Molecular and Cell Biology, as well as Zoie Health co-founder. Zoie Health Technologies is a digital women’s health & wellness clinic that facilitates virtual medical consultations, contraceptive delivery subscriptions, and community chat for women in Africa. Therefore, Dr Sitole’s motivation for the innovation stems from having experienced hardships postpartum. Her goal is to make quality women’s healthcare within reach for millions of women worldwide by leverage leading technology, world-class clinical care, and love.
Women in tech are taking strategic steps to ensure that the tech space is inclusive and supportive of all genders. They are actively combating false information that calls into question the veracity of digital evidence, developing systems that offer high-quality healthcare to women across the globe, and proving that the tech sector can benefit everyone equally.
These women and many others around the world continuously work hard to ensure that women in tech are not just respected, but are seen, heard and that their voices and contributions matter. They continue to change the narrative and inhibit the discrimination faced by women and girls in technology.
To learn more about women in tech, visit the below websites
