[Kictanet] Women in ICTs in South Africa - final reports released

[A. Wanjira Munyua]

A comprehensive study on the status of women in high-level ICTs in South
Africa has recently been completed.  A separate Manual of Possible
Interventions has been produced alongside the status report - this maps out
six possible programmes with a breakdown of activities and possible role
players to take these actions forward.  A third report shares international
experiences, with particular emphasis on Finland. This has provided useful
insights for consideration in addressing South Africa's needs. The three
documents can be accessed at: http://women-in-ict.meraka.csir.co.za
<http://women-in-ict.meraka.csir.co.za/>

The report looks at how girls and women are progressing (or not) in the
education system and the workplace. It presents gender-disaggregated data on
the current situation and reflects on the perceptions of women in ICTs,
including those in leadership positions. There has been some improvement in
the participation of women in the sector, but the numbers are still low and
increasing the levels of participation requires urgent attention. Various
support mechanisms are in place to help women in the ICT sector but they are
fragmented and uncoordinated. Recommendations for addressing these needs
have been expanded in the Manual of Interventions.

The work was the result of a South African-Finnish partnership between the
Meraka Institute (CSIR), icteum consulting and the University of Oulu,
Finland (Kajaani Consortium). Other South African collaborators include the
Human Sciences Research Council, WomensNet and the Tshwane University of
Technology.  The study was funded by the Embassy of Finland, South Africa.

For further details contact:

Tina James (project leader)
icteum consulting
tjames at intekom.co.za
Tel:  +27 12 346-8264

Ronel Smith
Meraka Institute
Rsmith2 at csir.co.za


-- 
A. Wanjira Munyua
National Coordinator, Catalysing Access to ICTs in Africa (CATIA)
Association for Progressive Communications (APC)
alice at apc.org
http://www.apc.org
http://www.catia.ws
Cell: +254 733 731074