Women On Wealth: Advancing gender diversity in the technology sector

Gender diversity in the technology sector remains a significant challenge, with women occupying only a quarter of leadership roles globally, as highlighted in the World Economic Forum's 2022 Global Gender Gap Report. Samantha Perry, Co-founder at Women in Tech, discussed the progress and challenges faced in this sector during a recent CNBC Africa interview. Perry expressed her concerns regarding the slow progress in increasing the representation of women in leadership roles within the tech industry. Despite some improvements in gender ratios, especially in South Africa, Perry emphasized the need for accelerated efforts to level the playing field. One key issue highlighted by Perry was the inequitable distribution of funding towards female entrepreneurs in the tech sector. Citing statistics from Morningstar, Perry noted that only 2% of VC funding in 2022 was allocated to women-owned startups, a disproportionately low figure. She underscored the profitability of women-led startups and called for a shift in investment patterns to recognize the potential of female entrepreneurs. Perry pointed out the existing biases in the investment community, which often favor startups owned by individuals who share similar backgrounds, urging for a more inclusive approach to funding decisions. Addressing the barriers faced by women in technology, Perry emphasized the importance of challenging perceptions and unconscious biases prevalent in the industry. While acknowledging the valuable role of incubator programs in providing support and networking opportunities for startups, Perry raised concerns about the lack of focus on women-specific initiatives within these programs. She highlighted the need to increase the participation of women in incubation programs to create a more diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem. Furthermore, Perry shed light on the fundamental challenges faced by women in tech across the African continent, including limited access to technology resources and a gender digital divide. She emphasized the importance of addressing underlying issues such as perceptions around STEM education for girls and improving access to digital tools and connectivity to bridge the gender gap in technology. Perry called for comprehensive efforts to address these systemic challenges and create a more inclusive environment for women in the tech sector. In conclusion, Samantha Perry's insights underscore the ongoing struggle for gender diversity in the technology sector and the critical need for proactive measures to break the glass ceiling for women in leadership roles. While some progress has been made, there is a clear call for increased support, investment, and advocacy to empower women in tech and drive true inclusivity and equality in the industry.