In April 2020, a beacon of hope ignited in South Africa’s tech landscape with the official launch of Women in Tech South Africa. This non-profit organization embarked on a mission to not only close the gender gap in technology but also to encourage more women and girls to pursue STEM fields for study and career paths.
With a commitment to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Women in Tech South Africa set out to make a tangible impact in areas such as education, entrepreneurialism, science, innovation, social inclusion, diversity, and equality in the workplace. Through a range of initiatives including programs, workshops, events, hackathons, bursaries, pitching events, and networking opportunities, the organization aimed to create an ecosystem fostering empowerment, upliftment, education, and career development for women in the tech industry.
For decades, the gender gap in technology has been widening, leaving only a fraction of women represented in the field. Women in Tech South Africa, part of the global Women in Tech® movement headquartered in Paris, emerged as a vital force dedicated to reversing this trend. With chapters spanning 48 countries across six continents and boasting a membership of over 200,000 individuals, Women in Tech® is not just a network but a social enterprise committed to driving and measuring impact.
Since its inception in 2018, Women in Tech® has evolved into one of the world’s premier organizations supporting women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). With a remarkable reach extending to over a third of a million people worldwide, the organization has aligned its efforts with seven Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating its commitment to effecting positive change on a global scale.
The vision of Women in Tech South Africa is to create a world where women and girls thrive in STEAM, shaping the future of technology with confidence and excellence. Their mission, ambitious yet achievable, aims to empower five million women and girls in STEAM by 2030 through impactful action in core areas including education, business, digital inclusion, and advocacy. By building skills and confidence, Women in Tech South Africa ensures that women are equipped for success in the ever-evolving tech landscape.
As Women in Tech South Africa takes its place among the vanguard of organizations championing gender equality and diversity in technology, it serves as a beacon of hope for women and girls across the nation, inspiring them to pursue their passions and carve out their paths in the world of STEAM.
Check them out: h://women-in-tech.org/ttps
