By Thabo Peyi
Aug 12th, 2025
7 min read
Glitch in the Patriarchy: The Importance of Women in Tech
Why Women Should Pursue Careers in Tech
In 2024, women made up only about 23% of the tech workforce in South Africa – a disproportionately low figure compared to their male counterparts. This lack of gender diversity highlights the importance of empowering women to pursue tech careers. After all, technology impacts everyone, regardless of gender, which is why it’s crucial that all voices are represented across the industry.
The rapid growth of the tech sector has also transformed the working environment. More roles now offer remote work and flexibility, helping accommodate the unique challenges that many women face in the workplace. A career in tech not only enables real-world innovation but also offers financial growth and long-term job security – key benefits for women seeking stability and opportunity.
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Web Development: Creative Meets Code
Web development is one of the most popular and accessible entry-level tech jobs for women. It involves everything from building websites and apps to maintaining them – critical in today’s digital-first world. This role is ideal for women who enjoy both creative design and analytical thinking.
There are different paths within web development:
- Front-end development focuses on what users see and interact with.
- Back-end development deals with the database, servers, and behind-the-scenes logic.
- Full-stack development combines both, offering a versatile career route.
Essential skills include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the front end, and languages like Python, Ruby, or PHP for back-end work. Platforms like Red & Yellow, UCT, and Mancosa offer short courses for women entering tech, making this an ideal starting point.
UI/UX Design: Where Empathy Meets Innovation
UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) design are top picks for women who are artistic, empathetic, and problem-solving orientated. These roles aim to improve the overall user journey on websites and apps – creating experiences that are both functional and visually appealing.
- UI design focuses on layout, buttons, and menus.
- UX design ensures the product is intuitive and user-friendly.
Women often thrive in this space due to their natural attention to detail and empathetic thinking. Proficiency in design tools like Figma and Adobe XD, along with user research and wireframing, are essential skills.
If you’re wondering how to start a career in UI/UX design as a woman, there are many online design courses available – both free and paid – that provide strong foundations in this growing field.
Digital Marketing: Tech Meets Creativity
If you’re a strong communicator with a passion for creativity, digital marketing is a great career path. This field uses platforms like social media, websites, email, and search engines to promote products or services – perfect for women seeking flexible tech jobs or freelance opportunities.
Key skills include:
- Canva and content creation tools
- Understanding of Google Ads, Meta Ads, and SEO
- Copywriting and storytelling
Digital marketing for women is a booming sector, with many entry points and freelance options that support a healthy work-life balance. Check out platforms like Coursera and Meta’s free courses to get started.
Cybersecurity: Guarding the Digital World
Cybersecurity is one of the top tech careers for women in Africa, offering high earning potential and job security. It involves protecting networks, systems, and data from cyber threats – a field that’s growing rapidly across the continent.
To excel in cybersecurity, you’ll need:
- Knowledge of basic networking
- Familiarity with threat analysis and security tools
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
If you’re wondering how women can break into cybersecurity, there are plenty of beginner-friendly courses available. Google’s Cybersecurity Certificate is a great place to start, especially for those seeking remote work and long-term growth.
Where to Learn: Tech Courses Designed for Women
There are many platforms offering coding for women, both in South Africa and globally. These initiatives aim to reduce the gender gap in tech and give women the confidence to take on technical roles.
Some key platforms include:
- SheCodes and GirlCode ZA – focused on coding bootcamps for women
- WeThinkCode – accessible, hands-on training
- Coursera – online courses in everything from data science to marketing
- Meta’s free digital marketing programme – great for upskilling at your own pace
These platforms make starting a tech career as a woman more accessible than ever. Whether you’re into web development, UI/UX, cybersecurity, or digital marketing, there’s a space for you in tech.
Final Thoughts: Women Belong in Tech
Tech impacts everyone, so it’s vital that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to its growth. From development to digital marketing and cybersecurity, there are countless opportunities where women can thrive and succeed.
By pursuing tech careers, women not only challenge the status quo but also become leaders in shaping our digital future. This Women’s Month, let’s spotlight the voices of women in tech – and encourage even more to join them.
Glitch in the Patriarchy: The Importance of Women in Tech
Thabo Peyi
Aug 11th, 2025
7 min read
Why Women Should Pursue Careers in Tech
In 2024, women made up only about 23% of the tech workforce in South Africa – a disproportionately low figure compared to their male counterparts. This lack of gender diversity highlights the importance of empowering women to pursue tech careers. After all, technology impacts everyone, regardless of gender, which is why it’s crucial that all voices are represented across the industry.
The rapid growth of the tech sector has also transformed the working environment. More roles now offer remote work and flexibility, helping accommodate the unique challenges that many women face in the workplace. A career in tech not only enables real-world innovation but also offers financial growth and long-term job security – key benefits for women seeking stability and opportunity.
Web Development: Creative Meets Code
Web development is one of the most popular and accessible entry-level tech jobs for women. It involves everything from building websites and apps to maintaining them – critical in today’s digital-first world. This role is ideal for women who enjoy both creative design and analytical thinking.
There are different paths within web development:
- Front-end development focuses on what users see and interact with.
- Back-end development deals with the database, servers, and behind-the-scenes logic.
- Full-stack development combines both, offering a versatile career route.
Essential skills include HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for the front end, and languages like Python, Ruby, or PHP for back-end work. Platforms like Red & Yellow, UCT, and Mancosa offer short courses for women entering tech, making this an ideal starting point.
UI/UX Design: Where Empathy Meets Innovation
UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) design are top picks for women who are artistic, empathetic, and problem-solving orientated. These roles aim to improve the overall user journey on websites and apps – creating experiences that are both functional and visually appealing.
- UI design focuses on layout, buttons, and menus.
- UX design ensures the product is intuitive and user-friendly.
Women often thrive in this space due to their natural attention to detail and empathetic thinking. Proficiency in design tools like Figma and Adobe XD, along with user research and wireframing, are essential skills.
If you’re wondering how to start a career in UI/UX design as a woman, there are many online design courses available – both free and paid – that provide strong foundations in this growing field.
Digital Marketing: Tech Meets Creativity
If you’re a strong communicator with a passion for creativity, digital marketing is a great career path. This field uses platforms like social media, websites, email, and search engines to promote products or services – perfect for women seeking flexible tech jobs or freelance opportunities.
Key skills include:
- Canva and content creation tools
- Understanding of Google Ads, Meta Ads, and SEO
- Copywriting and storytelling
Digital marketing for women is a booming sector, with many entry points and freelance options that support a healthy work-life balance. Check out platforms like Coursera and Meta’s free courses to get started.
Cybersecurity: Guarding the Digital World
Cybersecurity is one of the top tech careers for women in Africa, offering high earning potential and job security. It involves protecting networks, systems, and data from cyber threats – a field that’s growing rapidly across the continent.
To excel in cybersecurity, you’ll need:
- Knowledge of basic networking
- Familiarity with threat analysis and security tools
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
If you’re wondering how women can break into cybersecurity, there are plenty of beginner-friendly courses available. Google’s Cybersecurity Certificate is a great place to start, especially for those seeking remote work and long-term growth.
Where to Learn: Tech Courses Designed for Women
There are many platforms offering coding for women, both in South Africa and globally. These initiatives aim to reduce the gender gap in tech and give women the confidence to take on technical roles.
Some key platforms include:
- SheCodes and GirlCode ZA – focused on coding bootcamps for women
- WeThinkCode – accessible, hands-on training
- Coursera – online courses in everything from data science to marketing
- Meta’s free digital marketing programme – great for upskilling at your own pace
These platforms make starting a tech career as a woman more accessible than ever. Whether you’re into web development, UI/UX, cybersecurity, or digital marketing, there’s a space for you in tech.
Final Thoughts: Women Belong in Tech
Tech impacts everyone, so it’s vital that everyone has the opportunity to contribute to its growth. From development to digital marketing and cybersecurity, there are countless opportunities where women can thrive and succeed.
By pursuing tech careers, women not only challenge the status quo but also become leaders in shaping our digital future. This women’s Month, let’s spotlight the voices of women in tech – and encourage even more to join them.
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