Celebrating Women’s Month by Empowering “Girls in Tech”

Celebrating Women’s Month by Empowering “Girls in Tech”. In celebration of Women’s Month, students from the Faculty of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Soshanguve, eMalahleni and Polokwane campuses participated in a “Girls in Tech” empowerment session.

Celebrating Women’s Month by Empowering “Girls in Tech”

“There is a perception that ICT girls do not belong in this perceived male-dominated field, which is why this empowerment program, Challenge the Status Quo, aims to inspire, build confidence in the ICT girls, as well as make them feel competent enough to thrive in the field,” said ICT Faculty Marketer Thembeka Manetje.

Girls took part in “Girls in Tech” empowerment workshops on various self-development topics, including self-confidence, communication skills, emotional intelligence, time management, and more. They helped empower them, build their self-esteem, and enhance their personal development.

Furthermore, the program explored the latest, ground-breaking technologies and invited female ICT alumni to share their success stories about their work in their respective ICT related fields.

A key objective of “Girls in Tech” is to make girls feel capable of developing solutions to real-life problems that global citizens are facing using the latest technologies.

“The program also taught them how to use their skills, knowledge of up-to-date technology, emotional intelligence, and self-confidence to bring about positive societal changes. By educating women (and men) about how they can develop their own apps that consumers can use to solve problems, the initiative will contribute to creating future-ready graduates (females), addressing the inequalities in ICT related fields seen as predominantly male, as well as combating unemployment,” Thembeka explained.

It is important for women to understand the subtle, small challenges they face in corporate environments, said Nompumelelo Mokou, Managing Director of Dimension Data. Whenever we raise each other’s flags, women can triumph over all odds. For our voices to be heard, we must look out for one another regardless of race or gender.”

Organizers of the Girls in Tech Empowerment Programme believe that exposing young women to successful ICT alumni and other women who are making a positive impact on society can motivate them to succeed at work and make a positive impact on society.

A good initiative such as “Girls in Tech” is one that will boost our confidence tremendously. We learned that women are capable of dominating our field just as much as men,” said Msizi Makaula, an ICT student.

Qwertynet founder Simon Sihla, Chairman of TLOUyaSheela Foundation and a major advocate of equality, affirmed that change is on the way. Ladies, fasten your belts because transformation is taking place! The space is about to be taken over by you. He concluded, “We are all capable of making the world our oyster.”.

For more information on the Tshwane University of Technology, please contact Phaphama Tshisikhawe, Corporate Affairs and Marketing.

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