Equality can drive SA growth

CHANGING gender perceptions and behaviour towards women in the workplace can promote economic growth in South Africa’s emerging technology industry, a recent report by PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed.

The report released by PwC said the imbalance between men and women in the technology sector is unlikely to be redressed as women remain significantly under-represented.

Women hold 19% of technology-based jobs at 10 leading global companies, while men have 81%. The report says 28% of women hold leadership positions at the same global technology companies, versus 72% of men.

Chief economist for PwC Africa, Lullu Krugel, said the lack of women representation in the workforce was a barrier to gender equality, and that closing the gap would help alleviate poverty, while low-income households would receive an estimated 2.9% more income than before.

Economists estimated that if the gender gap was closed – both in terms of representation and the pay gap – by 10%, South Africa could achieve higher economic growth.

The report further suggests that organisations, schools and universities work together to change perceptions about the technology industry.

Education is one in a multifaceted interplay of drivers that will bring more women into skilled jobs, especially in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem) fields.

Cultivating an interest in Stem fields must start as early as possible. – African News Agency (ANA)