Women on the Mauritian job market: Lots of room for improvement

A global call for women’s inclusion in ICT

On International Girls in ICT Day, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), called for greater female representation in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector. Her message, filled with urgency and optimism, highlighted the growing challenges and opportunities to achieve gender parity in this traditionally male-dominated field.

Since becoming the first woman to lead the ITU, Bogdan-Martin has made promoting women in Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) a top priority. International Girls in ICT Day, observed annually on the fourth Thursday of April, aims to raise awareness and encourage more women to enter this rapidly growing sector.

Alarming numbers and ongoing barriers

Despite recent progress, the situation for women in ICT remains concerning. ITU data shows that less than a quarter of ICT ministers worldwide are women, and only 32 out of 165 sector regulators are led by women. These disparities are also reflected in salaries and career opportunities, where women continue to face significant hurdles.

Bogdan-Martin highlighted the negative impact of gender inequality in tech, including the risk of biased product designs and discriminatory algorithms. She stressed the need for more women in the field to ensure inclusive and fair technological development.

Promising initiatives and a call to action

Despite these challenges, there are promising initiatives aimed at promoting women’s inclusion in ICT. The ITU’s Girls in ICT program, for instance, has become a global movement offering a platform to help women overcome barriers in the tech industry. This program focuses on emerging tech areas like artificial intelligence and quantum computing, where women’s contributions are vital for innovation.

In her speech, Bogdan-Martin urged the international community to intensify efforts to close the digital gender gap and encourage more young women to pursue careers in STEM. “We cannot build an innovative and sustainable digital future without the full participation of half of humanity,” she declared, emphasizing the urgent need for gender equality in the digital age.

The case of Mauritius: Much room for improvement

In Mauritius, the status of women in the ICT sector is similarly challenging. According to Statistics Mauritius, female representation in ICT and engineering remains low, with only 8,035 women employed. Women make up just 4.4% of the ICT workforce.

Despite legislative efforts to reduce gender inequalities and the significant role of the ICT sector in the Mauritian economy, women remain underrepresented, especially in leadership positions.

A promising yet conditional future

Inclusion of women in ICT is crucial to make sure the digital future is just, inclusive, and prosperous digital. International and national initiatives, like the Girls in ICT program and efforts by the Mauritian government, are important steps forward. However, more progress and systemic changes are needed to break the glass ceiling and allow women to realize their full potential in the ICT sector.

Sources:

Aspen Global Incorporated : les femmes dans le secteur des TIC ne représentent que 4,4 % – defimedia.info

La secrétaire générale de l’UIT, plaide pour l’égalité des sexes dans le secteur des TIC   – afriqueitnews.com