Driving Gender Parity in Tech

A Blueprint For Scaling Inclusion

By Nyari Samushonga

Women remain underrepresented in the IT industry, a fact that is both well-known and well-documented. While numerous programmes and interventions aim to enrol more girls in STEM subjects, large-scale change remains daunting.

The underrepresentation of women in technology is not due to a lack of capability but the result of historical, structural, and systemic exclusion. Over time, this exclusion has created a false perception that women are less suited for technology roles. The reality is that women have always been capable. The real challenge is not about “fixing” women but rather unlearning our biases and reframing social perceptions—both in the minds of young girls and in the broader tech ecosystem of employers, mentors, and collaborators who shape career opportunities.

This reframing starts with early exposure to technology and intentional career guidance that normalises women’s participation in tech. If young girls can see technology as a viable and exciting path from an early age, they are more likely to pursue it with confidence. At the same time, the industry itself must shift its perception of who belongs in tech, ensuring that hiring practices, mentorship, and workplace cultures actively foster inclusivity.

From high school, I followed a more traditional path, studying finance and building a successful career over 11 years in the sector. I enjoyed my work, and my background gave me deep insights into business and problem-solving. But as technology evolved, I realised that software solutions and products were transforming industries, and my financial expertise was valuable in teams building tech-driven solutions. This opened my eyes to the fact that technology was not an isolated field but a tool shaping every industry, offering opportunities for professionals from diverse backgrounds to contribute meaningfully.

What was strange, however, was that despite this expanding need for varied expertise, I was often the only woman in the room or on a team. It was a stark contradiction: an industry unlocking new possibilities for different skill sets yet still lagging in gender diversity. This experience ignited a passion in me to support more women in entering the field and claiming their place in shaping the future of technology.

When I joined WeThinkCode, women made up only 16% of our student body. Our campuses looked strikingly similar to the workplaces where I had loved my work but endured the isolation and loneliness of being an acute minority because of my gender. We were committed to rectifying this. But rather than simply setting a target and pushing harder for gender parity, we knew we had to introspect and be honest with ourselves about why our processes and approach were failing to attract and support women.

We quickly realised that our entire value chain was reinforcing the status quo that had sustained the underrepresentation of women in tech. Our marketing images were dominated by men, and the language we used, spoke to people who were already interested in technology—mostly young men. We were failing to capture the attention of young women who had the potential to excel but had never considered coding as a career.

To change this, we needed to move beyond speaking about tech itself and instead highlight the qualities that make great tech professionals—curiosity, problem-solving, and creativity— qualities that many young women already possessed but had never linked to software development. But our challenges didn’t stop at recruitment. Once on campus, our female students faced higher levels of imposter syndrome than their male peers, compounded by the reality of being a small minority.

In some cases, they also encountered micro-aggressions from male students who, whether consciously or not, carried societal biases that questioned women’s ability to succeed in tech. It became clear that attracting women was not enough—we needed to create an environment where they could thrive.

To address this, we launched the Women Think Code community to provide a space for connection, collaboration, and support. We were intentional about fostering an inclusive culture, ensuring that our female students felt a sense of belonging and confidence in their abilities. We also brought experienced women tech professionals onto our campuses to engage with students—role models whose presence alone helped normalise the idea of women as senior engineers, leaders, and innovators.

By showcasing women with thriving careers in tech, we created a new set of aspirations that benefited all our students, male and female alike. These were not small changes—they were deliberate, structural shifts designed to challenge the status quo. Rather than waiting for the industry to evolve, we chose to be the change we wanted to see in the world. We committed to walking the talk, embedding gender inclusion into every aspect of our model.

Within two years, WeThinkCode_ achieved gender parity, a year ahead of our original three-year goal. We saw firsthand how young women, once given access and a sense of belonging, thrived. Many stepped into leadership roles as student representatives, creating a powerful ripple effect. Their presence and success inspired more young women to see themselves in tech, proving that when institutions take bold, intentional action, the cultural shift follows.

Success Stories: Proof That Women Have Always Been Capable

The potential is almost unimaginable. When given the opportunity, young women don’t just participate—they excel, lead, and inspire. WeThinkCode_’s deliberate approach to gender inclusion has not only opened doors but has also proven that talent knows no gender. Many of our female graduates have gone on to become role models, demonstrating their initiative, resilience, and ability to thrive in the tech industry.

• Matshepo Soto, a 2024 alumna from the EWC TVET cohort, was recognised as a Rising Star in Coding at the Wired4Women Tech Awards and honoured at the ITTPSA awards

• Nobantu Gumbi, a 2022 alumna, has built Nobantu The Brand, establishing herself as a dynamic content creator and YouTuber, using her coding background to bridge tech, lifestyle, and personal growth

• Zenani Kagiso Zwane, a 2022 alumna, has rapidly grown into the Student Recruitment Lead at WeThinkCode_, proving that talent and leadership thrive when given the right environment

• Mpho Dipitso, a 2023 alumna, is now Employment Placements Lead, helping other students find career opportunities. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from GIBS

These young women are proof that their ability has always been there— when given the chance, they grab opportunities with both hands and redefine what’s possible for the next generation.

Scaling The Vision: Public-private Partnerships for Inclusive Growth

Now, we need to scale this vision. Achieving true gender parity in tech requires public-private partnerships that bring together:

• Market-relevant knowledge of frontier technologies, supported by technical partners like Koder, Africa Blockchain Academy, Spatial Edge, and System Verification

• Hybrid financing models, such as student loans that only require repayment once graduates start working, as well as pay-for-performance models that sustain training institutions delivering real impact

• Public sector investment, including the Gauteng Department of Education’s contribution to student stipends, and the support of the Jobs Fund and IDC to expand training capacity

• Funding and hiring partnerships, with organisations like Absa, BBD, BCX, and MTN, along with foundations such as Momentum Metropolitan, which not only invests in training but also provides career pathways for graduates

Investments from key partners continue to bolster WeThinkCode_’s ability to scale nationally. JPMC and Standard Bank Tutuwa are funding a 60-person cohort at Central Johannesburg College (CJC), with JPMC also engaging public sector stakeholders for nationwide TVET adoption. Meanwhile, DGMT and the Caterpillar Foundation are supporting a 30-person cohort at South Cape College’s rural Garden Route/Hessequa Campus.

The roadmap is clear. The talent is there. The ambition is there. Now, we must build the pathways that bring more women into tech—not just in pockets, but at scale.

Nyari Samushonga is the CEO of WeThinkCode, a South African software development academy that operates in Joburg, Durban and Cape Town..