Women in the workplace are often “overlooked” in the tech industry and need to “stand up for themselves”, says Suhaifa Naidoo, chairperson of Geek Girl Dinners Cape Town.
HumanIPO reported earlier this week on the first results from the Silicon Cape’s startup survey which showed 80 per cent of those involved with the tech scene in the Western Cape are men.
Speaking to HumanIPO as the world celebrates International Women’s Day, Naidoo said: “We need days like International Women’s Day to highlight women who are doing amazing things, especially in the tech industry. I feel women in the tech industry, especially in South Africa, are overlooked and not receiving the same rewards that their male counterparts do.
“There are also many women who struggle to stand up for themselves and fight for what is right and fair especially in the workplace, days like these are needed to encourage them and give them a sense of belonging.”
International Women’s Day has been observed on March 8, since 1913, following growing political, social and economic unrest among women in the United States and across Europe.
Naidoo added: “Although many are against the ideas of days dedicated to women, as they feel women should be respected always, I am totally in favour of it.
“I would like to think in a future not so far away, women would be treated and represented in media equally alongside males but sadly this is not the case as it stands.”
