Charity Organization Instituting Program to Empower and Education African Females in the Workforce
The Airtel Africa Foundation has recently unveiled an ambitious initiative, the "Tech For Her" program, aimed at promoting gender equality in the tech industries of Zambia, Uganda, and Kenya. This five-week intensive online training program equips young women with in-demand digital skills in areas such as Linux Administration, Cybersecurity, and Data Analytics [1][2].
The program, which features over 100 hours of guided learning, caters to both working professionals and others through weekend or weekday classes respectively. To be eligible, candidates must have at least basic digital literacy and a minimum education level of a national diploma or equivalent in science, technology, or related fields [1][2].
Airtel Africa Foundation has reserved 30% of spots for women in rural and underserved communities and 40% for those from low-income households, emphasizing inclusivity and bridging the gender gap in digital access [1][2]. This initiative is part of broader efforts to address the significant underrepresentation of women in tech roles, such as in Uganda where women constitute only 17% of the tech workforce and hold 2–8% of software development jobs across the region [3].
The impact of the program lies in empowering women with industry-relevant skills that open doors to high-growth roles globally, thereby supporting Africa’s digital and economic transformation with gender equity at its core. This has received endorsement from governmental bodies, reinforcing its alignment with national digital inclusion goals [1][3].
Top performers scoring 90% or more in the program will qualify for internships with Airtel Africa and mentorship from industry leaders [1][2]. Resty Ayona, Head of Performance and Rewards at Airtel Uganda, hosted the event where Ayona and her team demonstrated how to access the training online [4].
The launch of the "Tech For Her" program comes amidst statistics that highlight the need for such initiatives. For every 100 men with spreadsheet skills in sub-Saharan Africa, only 40 to 44 women have the same proficiency, according to UNESCO [5]. Furthermore, only 17.3% of African tech startups have at least one female co-founder, and female CEOs lead just 11.1% of these startups, according to the "Diversity Dividend: Exploring Gender Equality in the African Tech Ecosystem 2024" report [6].
The "Tech For Her" program by Airtel Africa Foundation effectively combines upskilling, mentorship, and targeted inclusivity measures to promote gender equality in tech industries across the three countries, aiming to create sustainable economic development through women's expanded participation in the digital economy [1][2][3]. The program was officially unveiled in Uganda at Kawempe Public Library [7].
References:
[1] Airtel Africa Foundation. (n.d.). Tech For Her Programme. Retrieved from https://www.airtelfoundation.org/programmes/tech-for-her/
[2] Chimp Reports. (2022, January 20). Airtel Africa Foundation unveils 'Tech For Her' program for women in Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia. Retrieved from https://chimpreports.com/business/airtel-africa-foundation-unveils-tech-for-her-program-for-women-in-uganda-kenya-and-zambia/
[3] UN Women. (n.d.). Women in Technology - Uganda. Retrieved from https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/employment/women-in-technology/countries/uganda
[4] New Vision. (2022, January 20). Airtel Africa Foundation unveils 'Tech For Her' Program. Retrieved from https://www.newvision.co.ug/business/1324445-airtel-africa-foundation-unveils-tech-for-her-program
[5] UNESCO. (n.d.). Gender and ICT. Retrieved from https://en.unesco.org/themes/gender-and-ict
[6] Disrupt Africa. (2021, February 2). Diversity Dividend: Exploring Gender Equality in the African Tech Ecosystem 2024. Retrieved from https://disrupt-africa.com/2021/02/02/diversity-dividend-exploring-gender-equality-in-the-african-tech-ecosystem-2024/
[7] The Observer. (2022, January 20). Airtel Africa Foundation unveils 'Tech For Her' program for women in Uganda, Kenya, and Zambia. Retrieved from https://observer.ug/news/headlines/69029-airtel-africa-foundation-unveils-tech-for-her-program-for-women-in-uganda-kenya-and-zambia.html
- The Airtel Africa Foundation's "Tech For Her" program aims to promote gender equality in the tech industries of Zambia, Uganda, and Kenya, focusing on areas such as security, diversity, and technology through education-and-self-development, personal-growth, and mentorship.
- The program is open to women from both urban and rural areas, with 30% of spots reserved for women in rural and underserved communities and 40% for those from low-income households, thereby promoting inclusivity and bridging the gender gap in digital access.
- Top performers of the program, who score 90% or more, will have the opportunity to secure internships with Airtel Africa and receive mentorship from industry leaders; this is part of the broader efforts to address the significant underrepresentation of women in tech roles.
- The launch of the "Tech For Her" program has received support from governmental bodies, aligning with national digital inclusion goals and emphasizing the need for initiatives that promote diversity and gender equality in tech startups and related industries.
