Empowering Women in Africa’s Jobtech Revolution
Women in tech
Jobtech refers to digital platforms which connect people to work opportunities that build livelihoods. Jobtech has enormous potential to transform work possibilities and empower individuals in Africa’s developing digital landscape. However, various institutional and cultural challenges frequently obstruct women’s participation in this digital revolution. In this article, we will look at 4 structural barriers that women experience when it comes to using and benefiting from jobtech platforms in Africa and strategies to overcome these barriers.
Digital literacy
Many women in Africa may not have had previous exposure to digital technologies or may lack the necessary skills to fully engage in online work or entrepreneurship. Initiatives focusing on digital skills training, capacity building, and increasing digital literacy among women can assist in breaking down this barrier. ‘’Women in TechAfrica’’ is empowering women to engage in the digital space by providing training programs, mentorship opportunities, and tools that improve their digital literacy.
2. Cultural Norms
Traditional gender roles and stereotypes limit women’s access to certain job opportunities. More often than not, women face societal pressure to prioritize household responsibilities over career aspirations which limits their ability to engage with jobtech platforms. Cultural, social and economic factors collectively contribute to limited access to transportation as well as norms that restrict women’s movement. Consequently, this poses a major challenge in reaching physical jobs and access to digital resources. In Kenya, M-Shule is innovatively establishing safe spaces in partnership with local community centers and churches that can enable girls to access digital platforms and receive support.
3. Gender-based pay discrepancies
Gender-based pay disparities persist in the digital economy, limiting women’s earning potential and financial independence. Overcoming this barrier requires concerted efforts to promote pay equity, ensure fair compensation for women’s work, and create opportunities for career progression within the jobtech sector. Employers and policymakers must prioritize gender equality and fair remuneration practices to reduce this disparity.
4. Accessibility and connectivity
In Sub-Saharan Africa, women are 37% less likely than men to use mobile internet, the greatest gender disparity in the world. Numerous women encounter difficulties in accessing affordable internet services and lack the required devices to effectively interact with digital platforms. To overcome this challenge and promote equal access to digital opportunities, it is crucial to invest in infrastructure development.
To fully realize the potential of jobtech in Africa, it is critical to eliminate the dynamic barriers that prevent women from participating in the digital economy. We can create an enabling environment for women to prosper in the jobtech landscape by challenging cultural conventions, boosting access to resources, promoting gender equality, enhancing digital literacy, and assuring inclusive platform development. Let us work together to tear down these barriers and empower women to grab technological opportunities and transform the future of work in Africa.
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