For the last decade, cultural issues as well as a lack of information, capital and opportunity have been advanced as reasons why there are few women in technology-related businesses in Africa, but trends are slowly changing.
The emergence of mobile money services led by the growth of GSM networks has allowed many women to work from their homes or trading centers, helping them avoid traveling long distances for business.
The growth of mobile phone service companies has led to more demand for engineers, growth of engineering services companies such as telecom mast construction and the expansion of fiber optic cable networks. All this has provided more opportunity.
While there has been some activism on women’s issues, it’s mainly the increasing availability of jobs that pay relatively well and career talks in schools that have helped many women to explore opportunities in technology.
“The girls need to have more information on careers and they can choose science subjects that will allow them to take technology related courses at the university; previously girls would concentrate on arts subjects, which limits their choices at the university,” said Gladys Muhunyo, a member of Linux Chix Kenya.
Microsoft has been involved in a program training teachers and female students to appreciate technology, provide a pool of role models, and demonstrate opportunities available within technology companies.
“There has been a deliberate effort by the women who work at Microsoft through various efforts to work with girls; to not only sensitize them, but to offer mentorship opportunities and help guide them in into technology careers,” said Mark Matunga, corporate social responsibility manager for Microsoft, East and Southern Africa.
While many companies may have taken responsibility for ensuring that more women enter the field of technology, the challenges of running tech companies are gender-neutral and performance is the key, forcing women to work as hard as men do.
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