The world is rapidly evolving, and technology is at the forefront of this evolution. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in encouraging girls to pursue careers in technology. However, this has not been an easy feat, especially in Africa where gender inequality is still prevalent. Zimbabwe, like many other African countries, faces challenges when it comes to encouraging girls to pursue careers in technology.
Zimbabwe has made significant strides toward promoting gender equality in education. According to UNESCO, Zimbabwe has achieved gender parity in primary education and is close to achieving it at the secondary level. The progress has not translated into equal representation of women in STEM fields. In 2018, only 23% of students enrolled in STEM courses were female.
This low representation of women in STEM fields can be attributed to various factors such as cultural beliefs that discourage girls from pursuing careers in science and technology. Additionally, there is a lack of female role models who can inspire young girls to pursue careers in STEM fields.
There are several reasons why women may be hesitant to pursue STEM careers in Zimbabwe. One of the main reasons is cultural stereotypes and biases that suggest that STEM fields are better suited for men.
However, it’s important to note that there are many women in Zimbabwe who are breaking down these barriers and pursuing successful careers in STEM fields. For example, Dr. Rudo Sanyanga is a prominent environmental scientist who has made significant contributions to water resource management in Africa.
There may be some truth to the idea that women in Zimbabwe are afraid of studying and taking roles in STEM programs due to cultural stereotypes and lack of access to education and resources, but it’s important not to generalize this sentiment across all women. There are many successful women who have pursued careers in STEM fields despite these challenges.
Zimbabwe’s situation is not unique as many other African countries face similar challenges when it comes to promoting gender equality in STEM fields. According to UNESCO, only 30% of researchers globally are women, with Sub-Saharan Africa having the lowest percentage at 19%. This low representation of women in STEM fields can be attributed to various factors such as cultural beliefs that discourage girls from pursuing careers in science and technology.
Some African countries have made significant progress toward promoting gender equality in STEM fields. For instance, Rwanda has achieved gender parity across all levels of education and has one of the highest percentages of women working as researchers globally (41%). This achievement can be attributed to Rwanda’s deliberate efforts towards promoting gender equality through policies such as mandatory quotas for women’s representation on boards.
Globally, there have been efforts towards promoting gender equality in STEM fields through initiatives such as Girls Who Code and Women Who Tech. These initiatives aim to provide opportunities for girls and women interested in pursuing careers in technology by providing mentorship programs and scholarships.
Zimbabwe’s Technology Industry is a Male-Dominated Boys’ Club – Women are Being Systematically Excluded and It Needs to Stop Now!
In conclusion, Zimbabwe faces challenges when it comes to promoting gender equality in STEM fields. However, there have been efforts towards addressing these challenges through initiatives such as Technovation Zimbabwe which aims to encourage young girls to pursue careers in technology.
Additionally, Zimbabwe can learn from other African countries such as Rwanda which have made significant progress toward promoting gender equality through deliberate policies aimed at increasing women’s representation across all sectors including STEM fields. Globally there are also initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality which Zimbabwe can tap into for inspiration on how best they can address their own challenges when it comes to encouraging more girls into tech-related careers.
To encourage the growth of women in technology, there are several things that Zimbabwean corporates and government can do:
1. Provide mentorship programs
One way to encourage women to pursue careers in technology is by providing mentorship programs. These programs can help women gain valuable skills and knowledge from experienced professionals in the field. Mentors can also provide guidance and support as women navigate their careers.
2. Offer scholarships
Another way to encourage women to pursue careers in technology is by offering scholarships. Scholarships can help offset the cost of education and make it more accessible for women who may not have otherwise been able to afford it.
3. Create networking opportunities
Networking is an important part of any career, but it’s especially important for women who are trying to break into male-dominated fields like technology. By creating networking opportunities, such as conferences or meetups, women can connect with other professionals in their fields and learn about new job opportunities.
4. Promote work-life balance
Many women are hesitant to pursue careers in technology because they believe that it will require them to sacrifice their personal lives. To encourage more women to enter this field, companies should promote work-life balance by offering flexible schedules or remote work options.
5. Address gender bias
Finally, it’s important for companies and government officials to address gender bias within the industry. This includes addressing issues like pay inequality and discrimination against women in hiring practices.
There are many things that Zimbabwean corporates and government officials can do to encourage the growth of women in technology. As a country and continent, we can also help by ensuring that more women have access to these exciting career opportunities.
