#WomeninIT: Womens’ Month Tribute to African Tech-Enabled Change Makers
On August 9th, 1956, over 20,000 women of all races marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, in protest against legislation that required African women to carry passbooks. This brave act of defiance ignited a spark that would spread across the continent. Today, we celebrate this spirit of resilience and resistance during South Africa's Women's Month, a testament to the power of women.
In 2023, we mark Women's Month by spotlighting the trailblazing women who are leveraging the power of technology to redefine boundaries in their respective sectors and communities across Africa. Their work exemplifies the meaningful influence of a technology-driven future for the continent.
According to a study, 58% of businesses in Africa are women-led. Their ventures are as diverse as they are impactful, from sustainable fashion in Kenya to the disruption of the insurance industry in Cameroon and innovation in Kenya's logistics industry.
Earlier this year, we introduced the Google for Startups Accelerator: Women Founders in Africa and Hustle Academy for women entrepreneurs programs. These initiatives provided mentorship, investor networking, technical workshops, and training to women-led SMEs, thus fostering an empowering ecosystem for women entrepreneurs.
Now, as we celebrate Women's Month in South Africa, we're excited to bring to you the #WomeninIT video series, featuring six remarkable women who are breaking barriers in businesses using tech.
- Balqis Chepkwony, revolutionising Kenya's logistics industry with Fleetsimplify.
- Colleen Flowers, combining sustainability with gourmet tastes in South Africa with Colleen's Handmade Sauces
- Evelyn Karimi, creating sustainable fashion with Wika Leathers in Kenya.
- Mobolaji Olamide Jaji, transforming Nigeria's fashion industry with O'lam Creations and empowering women.
- Naledi Magowe, bridging the digital divide in Botswana with Brastorne Enterprises.
- Virginie Pouna Siewe, reshaping the insurance industry in Cameroon with COVA Africa.
We invite you to watch this series of transformation, innovation, and empowerment.
This Women's Month, we draw inspiration from the words of Malala Yousafzai, who said, 'We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back.' The women featured in the #WomeninIT series embody this spirit as they push boundaries and challenge norms within their industries. Their resilience, innovation, and audacity extend beyond their personal achievements, sparking progress that benefits us all.
Watch the series at goo.gle/WomeninIT
