As Africa celebrates women on International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, the importance of technology in the transformation of women in Africa is something that isn't often talked about enough.
It is crucial to highlight that for African Women, the idea of being part of the work and market force is still an ongoing conversation with different layers of points and ideas ranging from job prospects, professional growth, work-life balance, and workplace culture.
However, the one thing that has remained quite overlooked is the impact of technology which has enabled women to make great progress in terms of representation. Technology is impacting and changing the future of work for African Women, especially in leadership positions.
Women's representation across various advanced industries and companies is now geared towards a more inclusive, all-encompassing workspace for women as a result of a wide range of technological advancements.
Before now, women were scarcely permitted to pursue careers in Africa's gender-biased culture, and even when they did take up career roles and positions, they often faced harsh condemnation from society, the workplace, and even their families.
Nonetheless, with the advancement of information and technology across Africa, African women began to change. We see this change in the rise of women's literacy across Africa and employment across important roles.
Technology is reshaping the future of work, and we are seeing an increase in the number of women working in fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data science.
Consequently, not only has technology altered the future of work, but it has also altered the landscape for women in Africa, as follows:
Technology has the potential to significantly transform the future of work for African women by providing new opportunities for education, training, entrepreneurship, and flexible work arrangements. Here are some ways in which technology can make a positive impact:
In conclusion, technology can play a significant role in transforming the future of work for African women by providing access to education, entrepreneurship, remote work, collaborative work, and financial inclusion. However, it is important to ensure that these opportunities are inclusive and accessible to all women, regardless of their socio-economic status or geographic location.
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