Blacks In Technology Botswana, a tech-focused community and media organization that is dedicated to increasing the representation and participation of Black people in the technology industry, last week hosted it's inaugural "Women In Technology-No Woman Left Behind" Conference in Gaborone.
The mission of the event was to re-introduce technology as a platform to be utilized and recognized as an applicable solution to drive change through technological advancement Women should and will bring in the 5th Industrial revolution.
According to Tshegofatso Moatswi, president of the Botswana chapter of Blacks In Technology, the motivation for organizing the event came from her realization that technology has many fields that many are not aware of and therefore she saw an opportunity to showcase the resilience and capabilities of women in driving technology to new heights through re-introducing the many women faces of technology.
Moatswi added that the reason for centering the event around showcasing women in technology was that there are inequalities, disparities and discrimination which have rendered tech in Botswana a male-dominated industry. The event hence sought to "stomp the divide" by bringing awareness to the girl-child that Women too can make it in the Technology Sector, that Women have always existed and flourished in the technology space and they too can and will succeed.
Some of the panellists at the event included Segametsi Mafa (Founder-Service Xcellence), Dr Otlhapile Dinakenyane (Computer Science Lecturer-BIUST), Loatile Nkala (Co-Founder- Doctors E-Consult)
The conference will be an annual event to bring women together through technology.