By Johan Steyn, 4 September 2024
Published by BusinessDay: https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/columnists/2024-09-04-johan-steyn-gender-divide-in-sa-tech-sector-needs-addressing/
As SA celebrates 2024’s Women’s Month under the theme “Celebrating 30 Years of Democracy Towards Women’s Development,” a glaring challenge demands urgent attention: the alarming underrepresentation of young women in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science.
This issue is not just a matter of numbers; it strikes at the heart of our collective future. In a world increasingly driven by technology, ensuring gender equality in AI and data science is critical — not only for fairness but also for the innovation, diversity and ethical development of technologies that will shape our society for decades to come.
Minister of women, youth & persons with disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga, during the launch of National Women’s Month, highlighted the progress women have made in areas like education and the judiciary, where women now constitute 45% of the judiciary, and female graduates outnumber their male counterparts.
These achievements are commendable, but stand in stark contrast to the situation in AI and data science, where young women remain underrepresented. This underrepresentation is not merely a statistical anomaly but a barrier to achieving true gender equality in the digital age.
According to a Harvard University study, only 9% of African tech start-ups are led by women, with the gender gap pronounced in AI and data science. Globally, women account for less than 22% of AI professionals, with even lower percentages in Africa. This lack of representation has serious implications. AI systems, which increasingly influence decisions in areas like hiring, healthcare and law enforcement, are being developed without the diverse perspectives necessary to avoid reinforcing existing biases. When women are excluded from the development of these technologies, the risk of perpetuating gender inequalities becomes starkly real.
The situation is worsened by systemic barriers that prevent young women from entering and thriving in these fields. The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has highlighted that African women face challenges in accessing STEM education, digital resources and career opportunities in tech. With only 30% of women in Sub-Saharan Africa receiving STEM education, their opportunities in AI and data science are severely limited.
In response to these challenges, SA initiatives like the Women Economic Assembly and the Solar Mamas project are important, but they are not enough. More targeted efforts are needed specifically in AI and data science. Scholarships, mentorship programmes and inclusive environments that promote gender diversity are essential if we are to close this gap and ensure that women play an equal role in shaping the technologies of tomorrow.
Chikunga emphasised that empowering women across all sectors is vital for the socioeconomic empowerment of society as a whole. The insights from Harvard University, UNDP and UN Women make it clear: achieving gender equality in AI and data science is not just about fairness; it is about ensuring that the future we build is inclusive, innovative and equitable.
As SA moves forward, the focus must be on retaining and supporting young women in AI and data science. The gender gap in these fields is not just a statistic — it is a reflection of the opportunities we are denying to half our population. By addressing the root causes and implementing targeted interventions, SA can lead the way in creating a future where technology serves everyone equally.
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