South African women remain sorely underrepresented in South Africa’s information technology (IT sector). The 2024 Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) ICT Skills Survey reveals the concerning gender gap, noting that women constitute only 13% of STEM graduates in South Africa, significantly below the global average of 35%.
According to the study, women represent just 39.5% of ICT sector employees. The disparity is even more stark at leadership levels, with women holding only 5% of CEO positions in South African ICT companies, compared to 22.5% in the US.
Key challenges to ICT gender equality
The survey identifies several key challenges to achieving gender equality in the sector. These include the following;
- Gender stereotypes in early education discourage girls from pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, creating later barriers to entry.
- Limited access to digital resources in schools hampers digital literacy development, particularly in rural and under-resourced communities. Only 21% of public schools have internet access for teaching and learning purposes
ICT gender empowerment interventions needed
Responding to the findings, the IITPSA Women in IT (WIIT) chapter highlighted the need for early interventions in education, consistent mentorship programmes, and the development of “new-collar” jobs that value skills over traditional qualifications. The organisation advocates for collaborative solutions involving industry, government, and educational institutions to create more supportive environments for women in technology.
The chapter noted that addressing workplace barriers and unconscious biases and promoting fair pay and development opportunities are essential to achieving a more inclusive digital economy in South Africa.
Read the full survey.