Investing in programmes to support ICT for gender empowerment helps reduce the gender disparity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, and creates more opportunities for economic inclusion in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). The TechnoGirl programme supports girls from disadvantaged and marginalised backgrounds in South Africa to experience science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers and encourages them to pursue their interest in the traditionally male-dominated fields.
With an average of 75% of programme participants going on to register for STEM careers, TechnoGirl collaborates with corporates to prepare girls better for STEM jobs. This means more girls and women are able to participate economically and to have much-needed STEM-sector skills, which narrows the gender gap in opportunities for social and economic transformation.
“Being part of the Techno Girl programme was a blessing for me, it gave me hope where the future was dark. Not only did I receive a bursary, but I was more informed on career choices and what I wanted to study.”
Siphokazi Dayimane, TechnoGirl Alumnus, speaking to UNICEF
The TechnoGirl programme was established in 2004 with Uweso Consulting in collaboration with UNICEF and the Department of Basic Education. Later, strategic partnerships expanded to include the Department of Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities; and SITA.
TechnoGirl’s education and skills programmes
With an aim to realise the full potential of disadvantaged and marginalised women and girls through access to opportunities in STEM career fields, the programme has three components:
- Job shadowing is for girls in grades 8 to 11 from quintile 1 to 3 schools.
- Alumni empowerment is for girls from grade 12 and onwards. This component supports girls to continue studies in STEM and access economic opportunities. It includes skills development, career mentorship, networking, volunteering, and providing access to economic opportunities.
- Digital skills is for unemployed youth to focus on 4IR training. It includes training in life skills, digital skills, coding and robotics, job preparedness, and workplace experience.
TechnoGirl’s funding and implementing partners
Their partners include Rand Water, Anglo American, Transnet, Multichoice, and Rand refinery.
Transnet describes their participation in the Techno Girl programme on their website, and notes many benefits for both the girls and the job shadowing partner organisation. On programme implementation, they explain “The programme entails girls following a structured job-shadowing programme at various Transnet and other job shadowing partner company sites. Girls are placed in companies whose core business activities are focused on scarce career fields in STEM were women are under-represented. To be effective and have meaningful impact, a Job Shadowing programme cannot be a once-off activity. The programme therefore involves placing girls in the workplace on a long-term, structured and systematic basis.”
Related reading: Five programmes closing the digital and tech gap for women in Africa