The representation of women in the technology sector experienced a 1% growth from 2022 to 2023. Over the last five years, there has been a gradual increase in the percentage of women in technology, with women currently occupying 20% of tech-related roles.
However, the disparity becomes more pronounced when looking at leadership positions, where the percentage of women drops significantly to less than 11%.
Recognizing the importance of fostering gender diversity in the tech industry, both non-governmental organizations and companies have taken proactive measures.
They organize conferences and workshops to inspire and motivate women in the field, providing valuable mentorship opportunities, especially for those who are new to the industry. These initiatives aim to bridge the gender gap and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women pursuing careers in technology.
Kawira Muchunku, under the banner of DadaSTEM, was part of the team organizing the Tharaka Nithi County Women in STEM conference, held at The Orient Hotel on 02 December, 2023.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Muchunku expressed a desire to give back to the community and offer support to women in technology. Her motivation stemmed from the discrimination she observed during her internship, inspiring her to create a platform that encourages greater female participation in STEM fields.
DadaSTEM serves as a catalyst for change by bringing together more than ten mentors and fostering connections with 22 mentees. The platform aims to address gender disparities in STEM and empower women to overcome challenges, providing mentorship and support for their professional growth in the technology sector.
Men have been instrumental in fostering the growth of women in the tech industry. Anderson Rioba, a representative of the Africa Blockchain Centre, collaborates closely with Africa Women of Web 3 to actively support and promote the inclusion of women in the field. This partnership has thrived for a year, resulting in the recruitment of women developers, blockchain managers, and software engineers.
The Africa Blockchain Centre is dedicated to enhancing capacity building across various Blockchain protocols. Rioba emphasized their commitment to increasing the representation of women by offering short courses in coding and programming. Moreover, they actively support conferences such as DadaSTEM, contributing to the broader goal of empowering women in technology and creating a more diverse and inclusive industry. “We have brought more women on board in terms of offering short courses in Web3 programming as well as supporting womwn led initiatives such as African Women of Web3 and conferences such as DadaSTEM,” he said.
Among our community, there are individuals who harbor a deep passion for technology while pursuing diverse career paths. Rachel Munyita, currently employed as a policy analyst with aspirations to become a project manager, exemplifies this commitment. Despite her non-tech career, Rachel has mentored three girls who maintain regular contact with her even after the mentorship period has ended.
In her dedication to supporting the community, Rachel actively contributes her time and resources to DadaSTEM. As part of her efforts to blend technology with her career, she has enrolled in IT courses, acquiring skills that enhance her professional capabilities.
Notably, she has developed a website through these courses, which she utilizes in her day-to-day activities. Rachel has delved into programming languages, including SQL and JavaScript, remarking, "It's fascinating how I integrate technology into my career, and I remain eager to learn more with each passing day", she said.
Betty Gakii, a dedicated nurse by profession, nurtures a profound passion for technology. Despite her background, she has proactively pursued technology courses, displaying a keen interest in the field.
Over the past two years, Betty has generously devoted her time to mentoring students who aspire to enter the tech industry. In addition to her mentorship efforts, she has provided financial support to DadaSTEM, underscoring her commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity in the technology sector.
Betty holds optimistic expectations for DadaSTEM's future impact, aspiring for the platform to attract more women to technology roles. Her hope is that DadaSTEM will contribute significantly to raising the overall percentage of women employed in tech jobs in the coming years, reflecting her dedication to bridging gender gaps and promoting equality in the field.
Ongoing technology-focused projects in partner countries are creating avenues for women to acquire marketable skills through remote learning, facilitating connections and the exchange of best practices. These initiatives play a crucial role in advancing gender equality and equity within the technology sector.
The government has demonstrated its commitment to fostering an inclusive work culture by addressing the gender pay gap, advocating for representation at all organizational levels, and implementing family-friendly work policies.
Additionally, substantial investments have been made in mentorship programs, internships, and apprenticeships to encourage greater participation of women in the tech industry. These multifaceted efforts collectively aim to increase the number of women engaged in technology-related roles and create a more diverse and equitable workforce.
The Writer, Purity Benjamin is a First Year Applied Computer Science Student at Chuka University.
PHOTO/DadaSTEM
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