The underrepresentation of women with STEM backgrounds in African TechCos

Abstract

The global phenomenon of digital transformation is expected to continue into the foreseeable future, forcing companies to ramp up their digital skills to avoid being disrupted by new entrants to the market. However, a digital skills crisis looms, particularly regarding women and girls in the workforce. There is a significant underrepresentation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields, disciplines critical to meeting companies' needs in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. There has been a call for action from several governments and civil society to address the gender gap in STEM, which is seen as not just a social issue but an economic priority as well. This research explored the barriers to entry and retention of women with STEM backgrounds in African TechCos. The study aimed to identify factors that motivate and enable women to enter STEM fields, particularly in the technology industry, as well as identify barriers to entry and retention for women in these sectors. The research was conducted through in-depth interviews with eight women with STEM backgrounds working in TechCos across several African countries. The findings of the study revealed that the primary motivators for women to enter and persist in STEM fields are societal perceptions and impressive financial prospects. The study discovered that the lack of visible, successful women in STEM that girls and young women can look up to during their school days reduces their willingness or eagerness to enter and stay in STEM careers. The study concludes that bridging the gender gap in STEM requires first addressing the root cause of the issue, i.e. the traditional parenting practices that do not expose girls to STEM-related activities from a young age. The study recommends the adoption of collaborative efforts by relevant stakeholders to implement transformational processes to address the low female representation in STEM.