Tanzania can increase women's participation in technology by making the sector more accessible, practical, and connected to everyday careers. This approach, rather than presenting technology as a field reserved for coders, can help bridge the gender gap in the industry. According to Ms Milja Kopsi, Coordinator of Finland's award-winning Mimmit Koodaa programme, many women are interested in technology but lack opportunities, guidance, and role models to explore careers in the sector.
The Mimmit Koodaa programme, which began after women expressed interest in visiting technology companies, offers practical workshops rather than conventional company visits. The programme's first workshops with eight companies, including a white-hat hacking session, drew hundreds of women. At one point, 800 women were waiting to join the hacking workshop. This response showed that women are interested in technology, but lack opportunities to participate.
The programme has grown to include more than 12,000 women in its community. Ms Kopsi notes that one of the biggest barriers to women's participation in technology is how society presents technology and professional careers to young people. She recalls being discouraged from taking IT classes at 15 after a study counsellor told her the subject was "for the boys". This experience highlights the need to change perceptions and present technology as a viable career option for women.
Ms Kopsi emphasizes that every company is now a tech company, and technology is central to various industries, including fashion e-commerce platforms. She suggests that women can explore various roles in technology, such as UX design, data analysis, or project management. By offering alternative pathways into technology, women can participate in the sector without feeling that coding is the only option.
A Tanzanian delegate, Ms Janeth Jackson, an ICT startup entrepreneur, says the Finnish experience has changed her view of opportunities available to women in technology. She notes that women can build communities, learn from one another, and create businesses while encouraging others to enter the sector. This experience highlights the potential for women to drive change and innovation in technology.
The Mimmit Koodaa programme has organized hundreds of activities and worked with companies to connect women with employers. According to Ms Kopsi, more than 1,000 women have secured technology jobs through its activities. This success demonstrates the effectiveness of the programme in creating practical pathways into the digital economy.
For Tanzania, the lesson from Finland's experience is to create practical pathways into the wider digital economy, beginning with schools and extending to startups, companies, mentors, and professional networks. By adopting this approach, Tanzania can increase women's participation in technology and bridge the gender digital divide. The study visit was organized by Tanzania's Information and Communication Technologies Commission and the Digital for Tanzania Twinning Project.
Key points
- Tanzania can boost women's participation in technology by making the sector more accessible and practical.
- The Mimmit Koodaa programme has connected over 1,000 women with technology jobs.
- Changing perceptions and presenting technology as a viable career option for women is crucial to increasing their participation in the sector.
