#CSW2023: Achieving gender equality in tech

Oxfam South Africa believes gender equality can be achieved in the tech industry.

The organisation’s Executive Director, Lebogang Ramafoko, spoke about the requirements needed to achieve this goal on the sidelines of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Thursday, March 9, 2023.

The conference is taking place until March 17, 2023, under the theme “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”

Oxfam South Africa and the South African Department of Science and Innovation presented the topic “Beyond Policy: Using Technological Innovations for Gender Equality.”

Ramafoko’s presentation focused on what gender equality in tech in Africa will require.

“South African businesses have more technical hiring needs than people to fill them; the industry has such a surplus need that offshoring these skills amounts to R150 million per annum.”

“Over the next 10 years, South Africa can create 500 000 new jobs, according to South Africa in the Digital Age (SAD),” said Ramafoko.

While youth unemployment is significantly high in the country, Ramafoko noted that more women are affected by long-term unemployment, which hinders their ability to find work.

With South Africa currently experiencing chronic rolling blackouts, Ramafoko said a significant number of people who live in rural areas still do not have access to reliable internet connectivity, electricity, or information about the opportunities that are available in the digital world.

More importantly, Ramafoko pointed out that there is a need for a feminist and gender equality approach in tech interventions that looks to understand the specific needs of young women who want to gain skills and find work that they can do along with family responsibilities that keep them at home as caregivers.

Read the presentation here: what-gender-equality-in-tech-in-africa-will-require

For media interviews contact: gaopalelwe.phalaetsile@oxfam.org.za | 0724005602