Moving beyond inclusion: Women, technology and the future of work

As South Africa accelerates its digital transformation, the conversation around women in technology needs to become more practical and outcome focused. While access to digital tools has improved, the real issue now is whether women are meaningfully participating in the decisions, development and leadership that shape how technology is used in the world of work.

‘Having women present is not the same as giving them real influence,’ says Seugnet van den Berg, co-founder of Bizmod. ‘If women aren’t actively shaping decisions and outcomes, then digital transformation simply reinforces the same structures organisations are trying to move away from. Inclusion on its own isn’t enough.’

Drawing on insights from across the financial and technology sectors, van den Berg highlights three areas that require focused attention if South Africa is to build a sustainable, future-ready digital economy.

Beyond corporate tick boxes

Closing the digital gender gap cannot be treated as a peripheral initiative under Corporate Social Investment. For meaningful progress, inclusion needs to be embedded into how organisations operate, make decisions and deploy technology.

When women are actively involved in developing and implementing emerging technologies, particularly generative AI, they bring perspectives that directly influence adoption, usability and long-term value.

‘Technology has real human consequences,’ explains van den Berg. ‘It changes how people work, learn and access opportunity. When those impacts aren’t considered early on, systems struggle to gain traction. Including women in design and decision-making improves adoption and leads to better business outcomes.’

At the same time, empowerment is a shared responsibility. Organisations need to create enabling environments, while individuals also need to step forward with confidence. Participation in the digital economy is not about waiting for permission, but rather about building digital literacy, capability and the belief that your contribution matters.

Rebuilding the talent pipeline

Preparing for the future of work requires earlier and more intentional intervention. Many young women disengage from technology-related careers long before they reach tertiary education, often due to limited exposure and outdated perceptions of what working in technology entails.

Early exposure through schools, community initiatives, hackathons and digital bootcamps helps shift this narrative. These programmes show that technology is not only about coding, but about problem-solving, creativity and real-world impact.

‘Teachers can only guide learners toward careers they understand themselves,’ says van den Berg. ‘There’s a clear opportunity for business to partner with schools and communities to expose educators to emerging technologies, so they can confidently support young women considering these paths.’

Leadership in a rapidly changing world

As AI and automation continue to redefine work, participation must extend into creation, leadership and governance.

For women already in leadership roles, this comes with the responsibility of mentorship and sponsorship. The next generation needs guidance that reflects the realities of navigating ambition, identity, cultural expectations and structural bias.

‘Change happens when women lead visibly and with confidence, supporting one another and setting a different standard for what leadership looks like in practice,’ says van den Berg.

Women’s participation in technology is not about representation for its own sake. It is about necessity. The future of work depends on diverse thinking, ethical leadership and solutions that people are willing and able to adopt. Without women actively shaping the digital economy, those outcomes remain out of reach.