Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality In The African Tech Space

Introduction

Gender inequality has been a pervasive issue across the globe for centuries. Despite significant progress made in various areas, women continue to face discrimination and inequality in many spheres of life, including healthcare, education, STEM and the African tech ecosystem. However, technology and innovation have brought new opportunities for promoting gender equality and empowering women. In this blog post, we get the perspective of 4 leading ladies in the African Tech Landscape as it relates to Gender Equality in the tech space, their initial struggles and how they overcame them.

Read their stories below.

Juliet Odumosu - Co-founder and CMO at Nguvu Health.

How did you get into the tech field and your specific niche?

No one knows how great a product will be till it’s shipped. In the same light, no one would know to pass on opportunities to you if they have no idea what field you’re in. It’s essential that your identity across the platforms you engage in also tells what career path you’re on or perhaps looking to explore.

During Covid-19, My friend and now co-founder, Joshua Koya, reached out to share his idea about building a teletherapy platform for Africans and asked me to come on onboard with content marketing. He presented me with the opportunity because he knew that was a field I’d just started exploring.

How do you deal with biases in the tech industry?

One of the ways I've found in rising beyond the prevailing bias requires actively searching out opportunities that can have a compounded effect on one’s professional development. What passion projects does one engage in, and does it add value to one’s career development in the long run.

While being confident and your biggest advocate, some paths are threaded much faster when you have the proper guidance. This could be in the form of a mentor, an expert etc.

Also, paying it forward by promoting and encouraging more women in technology. Helping connect women to organizations that aim to support and increase the number of women in tech.

Equality in the workplace means having an organisation where everyone feels respected without a group having an unfair advantage. Companies will do well to be intentional about their policies to ensure that one group isn’t treated less fairly

What does equality in the workplace mean to you? And how do you think more companies in the tech space can embrace it?

Equality in the workplace means having an organization where everyone feels respected without a group having an unfair advantage.

Consider policies put in place by the company. While these policies are the norm, they may be beneficial to some, while being harmful to others.

Promote a culture that doesn’t breed discrimination in the workplace.

Regular check-ins and audits of workplace culture

What advice would you give to women entering the tech field? Anything you wish you had known?

Document your milestone regardless of how small the win may be and show them off.

Ponder regularly about what your career goal is. Having a clearly defined career goal would help you identify opportunities that would spur you on that path.

Keep abreast of relevant information in your industry. Technology keeps evolving, you don’t want to be left out of this advancement.

Build relationships.

Oghenevwede Emeni - Co-founder of Pactpay

How did you get into the tech field and your specific niche?

My interest in technology started when I was just seven years old and first encountered code. However, my mum felt it best to focus on my education, so I had to put it on hold for a while.

Fast forward to 7 years later, after secondary school, I did well in my WAEC exams, and my mum fulfilled her promise by getting me my own laptop. This was a turning point for me, and I have been coding ever since.

My expertise is in full-stack mobile development, and I've worked with technologies such as Flutter, Golang, and Node.js. I've also dabbled in DevOps and occasionally write about tech-related topics.

Overall, my passion for technology has driven me to pursue a career in the tech industry, and I'm excited to see where this journey takes me

How do you deal with biases in the tech industry?

Regarding biases in the tech industry, I have been fortunate to work in teams where gender does not affect allocating roles or tasks.

Bias often arises from misinformation or a lack of understanding that anyone can achieve anything and that a person's potential should only be limited by their inherent strengths or biological factors. However, assuming that a particular gender is inherently better suited to a particular task or role is an unfair and inaccurate generalization.

I try to educate people who may have biased views. By promoting open communication and sharing information, I hope to create a more inclusive environment that recognizes everyone's abilities, regardless of gender or personal characteristics.

What does equality in the workplace mean to you? And how do you think more companies in the tech space can embrace it?

To me, equality in the workplace means that individuals are treated based on their performance and abilities without any biases related to their gender or other personal characteristics. One should not be offered a lesser role based on assumptions about their capabilities, nor should one be hired simply to fulfil diversity quotas. In an equitable workplace, if someone else is chosen for a position over me, I understand that they may have demonstrated a better approach to impressing the boss rather than my gender or other personal characteristics being the reason for the decision.

To me, equality in the workplace means that individuals are treated based on their performance and abilities without any biases related to their gender or other personal characteristics

What advice would you give to women entering the tech field? Anything you wish you had known?

My advice to women entering the tech industry is that they can achieve anything they set their minds to; all you have to do is get started anywhere. They should consider themselves as individuals in tech rather than solely as women in tech. Pursuing a career in tech should be driven by passion and a desire to solve problems rather than external pressure or expectations.

It's important to ask for help when you need it, and if anyone tries to take advantage of you or treats you unfairly due to your gender, stand up for yourself and seek support elsewhere. Remember to stay true to your passions and not let anyone's biases or negativity discourage you from pursuing your dreams.

Oyinlola Akindele - Growth Marketing Manager at Cowrywise

How did you get into the tech field and your specific niche?

I’m a marketer in tech, and I would say I got into the tech industry unplanned. I was simply doing great work in every industry I found myself  — agency, consulting companies, traditional companies—until the opportunity to join a tech industry came along. I believe everywhere I’ve worked prepared me to land and thrive at this opportunity, and well. However, remaining in the tech industry, I have worked hard to remain in the tech industry because of the numerous benefits that come with it.

How do you deal with biases in the tech industry?

I firmly believe it is crucial to build a robust and supportive network to deal with bias. Being a victim of workplace bias can affect your mental health and make you doubt your skills. A supportive network of colleagues, mentors and friends can help you navigate such situations, reaffirming your skills and helping you handle the situation better; I’ve seen it work several times.

Also, as a woman, I always make it a task to seek out inclusive organizations for any project or role I’m about to embark on. I will always consider searching for companies prioritising diversity, equality, and inclusion in their workplace culture, with women in senior leadership roles.

What does equality in the workplace mean to you? And how do you think more companies in the tech space can embrace it?

To me, equality in the workplace means you’re ensuring everyone has access to the same opportunities, resources and support to succeed at their roles. And when they succeed, everyone has equal access to a raise, promotion and other benefits associated with the role. In simple terms, it’s intentionally creating a level playing field for everyone, regardless of their gender, in this case.

The tech industry is already a male-dominated industry, it becomes counter-intuitive when companies don’t embrace the women penetrating the industries. To do this, companies should implement policies and practices that promote fairness, transparency and inclusiveness.

I believe equality in the workplace means you’re ensuring everyone has access to the same opportunities, resources and support to succeed at their roles. And when they succeed, everyone has equal access to a raise, promotion and other benefits associated with the role

What advice would you give to women entering the tech field? Anything you wish you had known?

Community is very important—and I wish I had known this earlier. Have a network of peers and mentors who can easily walk with you as you navigate your way through tech.

Also, believe in yourself and your abilities. It can be intimidating to work in a male-dominated industry, but it's essential to trust in your skills and take up opportunities you’re interested in, even if they are outside your comfort zone.

Then finally, it’s never too early to start giving back to women like you in your own way. Teach a fellow woman, mentor a fellow woman, share new opportunities with a fellow woman—anything to ensure you’re also opening doors for women like you to enter the tech industry.

Melone Chioma - Head of Business Development and Growth at Thepeer.

How did you get into the tech field and your specific niche?

I got into the tech field through a combination of curiosity and circumstance. I have always been interested in technology and how it can be used to solve problems and make life easier. When I got the opportunity to intern at a tech company while in school,  I jumped at the chance. I started out working as a social media manager and then marketing manager but soon found my passion in business development and growth. I found that I enjoyed the challenge of finding new ways to grow the business and working with clients to help them achieve their goals.

How do you think we can get more women involved in STEM?

As a woman in tech, I think the best way to get more women involved in STEM is to provide more opportunities for them to learn about and experience technology from an early age. This can be done through initiatives such as coding camps, a good example is Africa Agility & Tech4Dev, they have great programs for ladies which I have been opportune to speak at,  mentorship programs, and internships that specifically target women. It's also important to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment in the tech industry that promotes diversity and equality.

How do you deal with biases in the tech industry?

One way to deal with biases in the tech industry is to seek out and support diverse voices and perspectives actively. This can be done by advocating for diversity and inclusion in the workplace, supporting and amplifying the work of underrepresented groups, and actively working to dismantle systemic biases. Educating ourselves on these issues is important and striving to be allies and advocates for marginalised communities.

One way to encourage equality in the tech industry is to actively seek out and support diverse voices and perspectives. This can be done by supporting and amplifying the work of underrepresented groups, and actively working to dismantle systemic biases.

What advice would you give to women entering the tech field? Anything you wish you had known?

I advise women entering the tech field to stay curious, keep learning, and be confident in their skills and abilities. Don't be afraid to ask questions and seek mentorship and support from others in the industry. Finding a supportive community of like-minded individuals who can provide encouragement and advice along the way is also important.

Conclusion

In conclusion, technology and innovation have the potential to revolutionize gender equality and empower women across various sectors. From healthcare and education to the workplace, digital tools and platforms offer new opportunities to address gender inequality and promote women's rights. However, it is important to ensure that these technologies are accessible to all women, including those in low-income and marginalized communities. By leveraging technology for gender equality, we can create a more just and equitable world for all.