Minister for Communications, Hon. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful has applauded women in technology and information systems for breaking the glass ceiling in such a male-dominated sector and opening wide the doors of opportunities for girls to pursue careers in the field.
According to her, despite the ‘pull her down’ syndrome and the naysayers who might have sought to disrupt the path they pursued, they have been able to transform themselves into giants in the IT industry.
She averred that it is therefore critical to create career opportunities for young girls and ladies in the sector.
The Minister made the call on Monday 15th October, 2021 at a Cyber Security Authority (CSA) forum on women in technology and cyber security
Under the theme ‘Empowering women to step into technology and cyber security careers,’ the event formed part of the National Cyber Security Awareness Month 2021 and campaign on the Cyber Security Act 2020.
The highlight of the programme was a panel discussion that brought together some women who have distinguished themselves in the technology sector to discuss their career journeys and the challenges they encountered along the way.
The panellists include Ms. Adjoa Asamoah, Information Systems Auditor at Bank of Ghana; Ms. Farida Bedwei, CEO of Byte the Bits, Mrs. Lucy Quist, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley; Ms. Adoma Peprah, Country Manager, VISA Ghana; Ms. Folake Olagunju, Programmes Officer, Internet and Cybersecurity, ECOWAS; and Mrs. Patricia Obo-Nai, Chief Executive Officer, Vodafone Ghana.
Mrs. Ursula Owusu who chaired the discussion disclosed that research indicates cybersecurity and technology is the sector with a very low representation of women.
“And according to the 2019 women in cybersecurity report by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, women represent just about 24% of the global cybersecurity workforce in 2017”
“I’m glad that increasingly we’re pulling down the barriers limiting women from participating in the sector, and you are sterling examples of women who have excelled in this field,” she said but added there is a lot more to be done.
She disclosed the Ministry and the Authority are working through the Girls in ICT initiative to encourage more young people to do so but stressed the need for the public to create an enabling environment for women to pursue IT and cybersecurity-related roles.
“This is an emerging field and there are many more opportunities being created in the sector. You are an example of the fact that it is fulfilling. Young people are here listening to you. Share your perspectives and encourage and challenge young girls and women to take advantage of the many opportunities available in digitalization,” she added.
Chief Director of the Ministry, Mrs. Magdalene Apenteng, in the welcome address, stated that the Ministry will continue to prioritize children and women.
She averred that the Ministry is already deeply impacted by the changes and developments in technology and must therefore be a critical component in actualization efforts.
“Failure to acclimatize with information and communication technology, ICT innovations and advancements create gaps and inability to take advantage of new opportunities associated with the fourth revolution.”
“Today’s focus on women in technology and in cybersecurity is gaining global attention and the COVID 19 pandemic has improved the mobile industry in the sub-Saharan region but there is still a significant percentage of women not connected to mobile internet,” she said.
Mrs. Apenteng disclosed that to address some of these disparities active steps are being taken through partnerships and collaborations to boost the presence of women in the technology workspace.
The panellists advised the participants to build their confidence and competence and not to allow the fact that they are women to hinder their aspirations.
Farida Bedwei, in her advice, urged the participants to develop an interest in IT and pursue this as a passion rather than a job.
Source: Mypublisher24.com/Osumanu Al-Hassan
