African Women in Technology (AWIT) is a community of women helping to address the inequality in the technology sector in Africa. It is not uncommon for young women in Africa to be discouraged from pursuing a career in tech due to societal norms. However, AWIT works to break down these barriers and encourages women to explore new opportunities.
The number of women working in the tech sector in Africa is significantly lower than the average worldwide. One of the main reasons is that women earn less than men. There are also many societal and technological barriers that make it harder for women to enter the industry. While Africa’s population has the demographic dividend of having a large number of youth, it also has a problem of unemployment. As a result, a systemic solution is needed. A coordinated sector plan will enable inclusive jobs and qualification pathways for young women. Several organizations and programs are already working to help address this challenge.
A Guide to Engaging Girls in Early STEM Learning aims to close the gender gap by providing unlimited learning opportunities. This free resource also supports a world free of bias, stereotypes, and prejudice.
A recent survey conducted by Deloitte found that more than three-quarters of respondents identified gender bias as the top barrier to leadership. The survey also found that women’s businesses are often small and poorly equipped to sustain themselves. Additionally, women are faced with systematic barriers, including a lack of access to information and inputs, fewer job opportunities, and higher work-life integration. In addition, the cost of unemployment is not gender-neutral. Moreover, a lack of role models and advancement opportunities creates further barriers for women trying to find a job.
Aniyah had a strong passion for technology, but found it difficult to advance in her career. She worked as divisional technology executive for a large financial banking enterprise. Her long hours and lack of career advancement opportunities left her frustrated. Despite these challenges, she decided to pursue a career in the field. Unfortunately, the spouse of the employee offered her a job in a different state, and her long-term career plans were put on hold. Instead of writing off her entire future in technology, she decided to take a risk.
Charity Wanjiku is a top tech entrepreneur in Kenya. She has founded a number of companies, including Strauss Energy Ltd., which provides solar power to rural areas. Currently, she is focusing on building infrastructure and data-driven innovation for financial innovation in Africa. Also, she is a co-founder of Okra, Inc., a financial data exchange that allows real-time financial information exchange.
Fara Ashiru Jituboh is an entrepreneur and software engineer. She is fluent in over 20 programming languages and has a background in finance and technology. She has worked for Techhustle and Dorsata and was involved with Canva, a graphic design program. Previously, she worked for a large financial banking firm and gained experience with several coding platforms
