HONOR Technologies empowers schoolgirls on Girls in ICT Day
To bridge the gender gap in technology, HONOR Technologies celebrated Girls in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Day by hosting 40 schoolgirls, giving them a rare opportunity to engage with mentorship, innovation, and real-world tech experiences.
The initiative was designed to address the gender disparity in South Africa's ICT sector, where women currently make up only 23% of the workforce. By hosting this empowering event, HONOR Technologies is taking a bold step toward its broader mission of increasing female representation in the ICT industry and encouraging young women to pursue careers in technology, ultimately helping to reshape the future of the sector.
The event was held at HONOR Technologies' Johannesburg office on April 24, bringing together young girls from local communities to inspire and spark their interest in pursuing careers in technology. The day was filled with impactful talks and workshops led by some of the most influential women in the tech industry.
Nonkqubela Jordan-Dyani, Director-General of the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT), shared her perspective on the critical role of digital transformation in shaping South Africa's future.
Hellen Mabore Mogashoa, Corporate & Government Affairs Lead at Microsoft South Africa, emphasised the importance of women in driving tech innovation. Nomvuyiso Batyi, CEO of the Association of Communications and Technology (ACT), and discussed strategies for bridging the gender gap in technology. Karabo Mohale, Executive Deputy Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), spoke about empowering the youth through technology, motivating the girls to overcome barriers and pursue their dreams in tech.
Siyafunda Community Technology Centre also joined the celebration of Girls in ICT Day, highlighting their new partnership with HONOR, which began in early 2024. As part of the collaboration, HONOR donated devices, leading to the launch of the "Code with HONOR" initiative, aimed at equipping young girls with valuable coding skills and empowering them in the tech space.
Siyafunda Technician Trainer, Erica Plakies, explained that through their collaboration with "Code with HONOR," they have been able to extend coding education to people in rural areas and those with limited resources. She emphasised that HONOR devices, with their advanced capabilities, have made it possible to teach basic coding skills to individuals who otherwise wouldn't have had the opportunity.
'One of the coding programs we use with HONOR smartphones is Scratch and Scratch Junior, which are block-based coding platforms that make learning programming easy and engaging for beginners, these programs empower young learners, especially those in rural areas, by providing them with the tools and knowledge to explore the world of coding and technology.'
Plakies also shared some valuable coding tricks with the 40 learners, helping them gain hands-on experience and boosting their confidence in the tech world, while showing them how to apply their newly acquired skills to create real-world solutions.
Jane Gala, a passionate young coder, expressed her excitement about being invited to HONOR's event, marking a significant step in her tech journey. She shared how she enjoys making games on Scratch but has never completed one, explaining that she loves the challenge of coding and creating. Despite her family's preference for her to pursue a career in medicine, Gala dreams of a future in technology, particularly with HONOR. She said, 'I would love to work with HONOR in the future because it's a place where I can grow and learn more about coding and technology.'
Fred Zhou, CEO of HONOR Technologies, expressed that the initiative is a strategic investment in a future where technology truly reflects the diversity of society. He emphasised the importance of fostering an inclusive tech landscape where everyone, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute.
Slindokuhle Mbuyisa, HONOR's Government Relations Manager, emphasised the importance of initiatives like this one, highlighting the stark gender disparity in the ICT sector, with women making up only 20% of ICT graduates and holding less than a fifth of tech leadership roles. She said, "We're building change, one girl at a time."
HONOR continues to lead in supporting women in STEM, ensuring inclusive growth in South Africa's digital future.
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