Women are grossly under-represented in the field of digital technology despite their immense contribution to its history. This situation, which has become worrying, deserves special attention to bridge the gap of inequality between men and women. Even in the most basic situations, digital technology plays an important role in our daily lives in today’s world. Digital technology has progressed to become an invaluable tool for human existence, facilitating countless activities such as communication, banking, training, socialising, online meetings, medical care, shopping, etc. Opportunities previously inconceivable are now within reach, because of the advancements in information and communication technology (ICT). 

Women underrepresented in the digital field

Despite the opportunities provided by digital technology, women continue to be underrepresented in this field. Women make up only 30% of the workforce in the sector, and in some cases, less than 20%. Despite accounting for nearly half of the global population, 37% of women do not use the Internet. According to the 2021 GSMA Mobile Gender Gap Report, the situation is even worse on the African continent, where approximately 74 million women are still unconnected to the internet in Sub-Saharan Africa. This under-representation is also seen in executive positions. According to a 2019 study conducted by AnitaB.org, only 18.5% of managers are women.

In Silicon Valley, the world’s tech capital, only 13% of women enter tech companies for leadership positions. And in this lot, women entrepreneurs represent only about 7%.

Women in digital history

Given that women’s contributions to digital technology date back to the nineteenth century, this overwhelming situation should not be the case. Women played critical roles in the development of digital technology and continue to do so to this day. In honour of their contributions, here are a few women whose contributions to digital technology have had a significant impact on the advancement of our time.

British mathematician and computer scientist, Augusta Ada Lovelace, created the first computer program in 1843. She wrote the first drafts of a formal script that instructed a parsing engine to perform specific tasks.

Hedy Lamarr, a naturalized Austrian-American actress, producer and inventor, also has a creative career. In 1941, in the middle of the Second World War, she filed, with George Antheil, a patent for the security of telecommunications systems. This technology is still used in wifi and Bluetooth connections.

In 1945, Kay McNulty, Betty Jenning, Betty Snyder, Marlyn Meltzer, Fran Bilas, Ruth Lichterman, nicknamed the « ENIAC six », were the first to program the Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer (ENIAC), which was one of the first computers in history.

Grace Murray Hopper, American computer scientist and Rear Admiral (lower half) of the United States Navy, is at the origin of the concept of the “compiler”. She was the first to create a computer model in 1952. As a result, she implemented the first compiler, a program capable of associating source code language with code and creating a more accessible system for developers.

Mary Kenneth Keller, American, participated in the development of BASIC and obtained her doctorate in 1965, the first thesis in computer science.

Margaret Heafield Hamilton, an American computer scientist who coined the term « software genius », designed the on-board systems for the Apollo 11 space program, in which humans first landed on the moon on July 21, 1969.

In the 1950s, half of the IT workforce were women. In the 1980s, 40% of computer science degrees in Europe and the United States were awarded to women.

On the African Continent

In addition to the contributions of the pioneers of digital technology, it is important to highlight the contributions of a few malian women of the 21st century.

Berthé Hawa DIAKITE, a computer scientist, is among the domain’s pioneers in Mali: She played a pivotal role in the administration of the NIC Mali (the .ml). In addition to promoting and facilitating access to the internet, she has trained and encouraged young women to pursue careers in digital fields. She has also held prominent positions in the community, including president of the Malian chapter of the Internet Society, in addition to being one of the company’s leaders.

Aïssata Lady Touré, is a computer engineer and a courageous and committed political activist for women. She actively contributed to the emergence of the Malian Agency for Information and Communication Technologies and held several positions of responsibility, one of her main battles being the modernization of administrative processes and procedures.

Jacqueline KONATE is a Computer Science doctor and professor at the University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB). She is well-known for directing training programmes for hundreds of young girls and boys who are now outstanding executives in Mali-based businesses.

Fanta Coumba KAREMBE is an engineer in telecommunications. She manages the Electronic Signature and Certification Service. This service is crucial for securing digital communications and establishing digital trust in Mali.

Kadidia Hany SOW, a brilliant computer engineer, specializing in software solution development, has accompanied several multinational companies in their process of digital transformation and modernization of their systems.

Djeneba TOGORA, is a computer scientist and leader in the computerization of human resources management at the Ministry of Health.

Porcho Marguerite SOGOBA is a computer engineer and the founder of Musodev, an organisation dedicated to assisting women and young girls to pursue careers in information and communications technology.

Hawa BANE is a computer engineer specialising in artificial intelligence and heads Tuwindi’s department of research and innovation, a civic-tech organisation in Mali.  She is contributing to the organisation’s vision produce  cutting-edge technologies in the fields of governance and elections, countering disinformation, health, and agriculture. 

Fatouma Harber is a Timbuktu-based educator, blogger activist, and founder of Sankoré Lab. She is one of the Internet activists in Mali who train and mobilise young people to use the Internet and social networks to combat human rights violations.

My loving wife, the late TOGOLA Hawa SEMEGA, journalist, was a WebTV and journalism pioneer in her country. She has inspired hundreds, some of whom are now able to launch their own webTV, in addition to training young people with special support for girls.

What repercussions does the underrepresentation of women in the digital sector have on society?

What repercussions does the underrepresentation of women in the digital sector have on society?

With these numerous examples, it is evident that the issue of incompetence does not arise. Women have technological skills that they can use to benefit humanity. Their exclusion is harmful because it deprives them of employment opportunities in sectors with rapid growth, where they are more secure and have the potential for a successful career.

Women’s underrepresentation in the digital sphere represents a social decline that engenders inequalities with substantial economic costs. The digital industry is one of the primary economic drivers, and businesses are experiencing significant growth and social transformation. This industry will generate the most new jobs in the coming years. Seventy-five percent of jobs will be directly related to science and technology by 2050.

Make the field of technology a female-friendly sector.

In our societies, gender stereotypes and social and cultural prejudices are deeply rooted. They have an effect on girls from a young age, even when they choose their school and university majors.

Therefore, it is essential to encourage young women to pursue scientific studies beginning in high school and to pursue engineering studies from a digital perspective, particularly engineering in technology.

We must ensure that the field of technology is not unwelcoming to women. In fact, according to the Women’s Forum report, the tech field is perco be hostile to women: more than half of women who entered the field early in their careers eventually left, compared to only a third of men. Lack of managerial support,  career opportunities, and work-life balance discourage many women from remaining with an organisation for the duration of their professional careers.

Taking into account the capabilities of women and implementing the necessary strategies for their robust integration into the digital world are more important than ever. Indeed, history has shown that women, like men, can contribute in the field of digital technology.