WOMEN EMPOWER THE FUTURE OF THE TECH SPACE
Updated: Sep 2, 2020
I enjoy hearing success stories of women who are challenging the status quo, women who are boundary breakers and trail blazers. I love hearing of strong women who have followed their passion.
As August comes to a close , so does Women’s month in South Africa. Womens Month is when we celebrate the 20 000 Brave women across races and religions joined together to protest against proposed amendments to the Urban Areas Act of 1950.
The phrase "you strike a woman, you strike a rock" has come to represent women's courage and strength in South Africa. We are the daughters and decedents of these brave women.
Decades later women in South Africa are still face significant issues such as, domestic violence, sexual harassment in the workplace and unequal pay.
Recently I was made aware of Macrocomm who two talented and tech savvy women that are leading the IoT company to greater business heights and expanding potential at every corner. Let me introduce you to Kiyana Ntisana, the Head of Business Development for the Macrocomm Group and Charlene van Onselen, the Managing Director of the Macrocomm Smart Academy.
I have always worked in tech adjacent industries , so i find this topic incredibly interesting.
Now lets meet some ladies who are paving the way for other feisty females to create careers in the Tech industry.
WOMEN EMPOWER THE FUTURE OF THE TECH SPACE:
Women in tech is now an exciting subject of discussion as it has been uncommon for women to hold technology-driven positions in the past. International research has shown that the tech space is seen as young, white, middle-class male-dominated. In the last decade however, we have seen more women rise through the corporate ranks to senior and executive leadership. The IDC report “Women in Technology” noted a growth in the percentage of women in tech senior leadership positions, from 21% in 2018 to 24% in 2019. Not only has there been a growth in women in senior leadership in technology, this is true across business sectors and political office.
In South Africa, women’s month is observed to honour the thousands of women who marched against the apartheid government in 1956 in a plight to highlight the glaring disadvantages faced by women and the fight for equal rights amongst all races and genders. In 2020, women fight a different battle, for recognition in the workplace as well as equal treatment amongst their male counterparts. Although the premise for the fight might be different, the idea of equal treatment for all genders in the workplace is still one worth standing behind.
The number of female owned and managed businesses in South Africa has increased due to various trade laws legislated by the Government. Macrocomm, a leading IoT company in South Africa, goes a step further by ensuring that women in the group are not only placed in strategic positions but allowed to take the reins, driving key business operations, development, financial processes and decisions.
Macrocomm supports the inclusion of women in the business sector and more specifically in the Internet of Things space through intensive headhunting, training and mentoring programmes.
“Women in business should not be seen as ornaments but integral cogs that work together in a well-oiled economic ecosystem”, Kiyana Ntisana, the Head of Business Development at Macrocomm feels that the participation of women in the business sector is changing the face of the tech space. South African businesses have moved from acknowledging women in business as an equality prerequisite to now acknowledging the impact of women in the workplace. “Being part of a team that respects and values my input in the workplace fuels my determination to push the company to greater heights”, says Kiyana Ntisana.
Women are known to be more community and family focused; encompassing traits that allow them to be more inclusive in their solutions. It is a strength inherent in being a woman, that corporates benefit from through their collaboratory nature. Women should embrace this and leverage it wisely in how they lead. “Women have not always been given equal opportunity; now we are excelling”, Charlene van Onselen, the Managing Director of Smart Academy at Macrocomm recognizes the importance of continuing to pursue opportunities for all women in the workplace. “When women support and uplift each other to achieve, everyone benefits. All women should continue to hold the torch by those who came before us, so that those coming after us are empowered.” Charlene van Onselen.
“An empowered and diverse workforce is key to building a strong and viable business, this is especially vital to create the opportunity for women to play a more meaningful role in the technology space . I am proud to be at the helm of this organisation where equality is at the foremost of our priorities,” says Sivi Moodley, Group CEO of Macrocomm.
Women empowerment is important to me and I believe each woman should help lift their fellow sister and encourage them.
I firmly believe that the field of Technology is a place that women can excel and create real change.
Do you know any inspirational Women in Tech?
- Information and Images supplied by Mala Media
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