There should be no doubt about the key role that women continue to play in reinforcing service delivery, business growth and development within the information communication technology (ICT) sector.
 
This is the view of Maya Bucher, Chief Operations Officer, Swicon360, an established business technology partner and solution provider within the international Human Capital Management (HCM), HR and payroll markets.
 
Bucher formed part of a group of keynote speakers and industry representatives who spoke at the ICT Women Empowerment Africa Summit held recently in Midrand, Gauteng.
 
According to Bucher the broader ICT industry across Africa is changing and many of the traditional stereotypical issues that have impacted the progress of women are being addressed.
 
“Traditionally, it has been difficult for women to establish a firm footing within this industry and develop a steady and rewarding career path. The environment in general has been restrictive in terms of enabling women to lead companies focused on ICT. But things are changing,” said Bucher.
 
“For a start stale misperceptions are beginning to disappear. Stereotypical ideas, such as women have little technical knowledge or capability, are also being eradicated. There is acknowledgement of the fact that companies primarily located in Asia use ladies to conduct and manage hardware repairs. This is because women have smaller hands and are more adept at handling the inner workings of a machine,” she added.
 
Bucher, who was joined by her colleagues Liezl van Rensburg, Manager Consulting, Swicon360, and Lerato Wanyane, SAP HCM Associate Consultant, believe their own company reflects the level of change and the power that women now hold as leaders within corporate South Africa.
 
“I would like to point out that the company we represent, Swicon360, is one that has embraced the role of women in ICT. Women enjoy a 70%/30% majority ratio over men in the company. In addition on two major accounts, approximately ninety percent of consultants within these two key projects are women,” Bucher continues.
 
Whilst Bucher believes there are a lot more women entering the ICT industry, she acknowledges that the challenges of achieving work/life balance and remaining in the sector definitely remain.
 
However Bucher, much like her colleagues, is optimistic about the direction the industry is taking in helping to empower women and support their contribution to socio-economic development.