Women all over the world continue to grapple with unfairness, discrimination and unequal representation in workplaces—the Tech industry is no exception.
The industry faces a significant skills gap, with women vastly underrepresented. According to Cybersecurity Ventures, women make up only 11 percent of the global cybersecurity workforce.
Creating equal opportunities for women in cybersecurity is crucial to bridging this gap and fostering a more diverse, innovative, and resilient industry.
The Gender Gap in Tech
Statistics reveal the scope of the gender imbalance across the workforce. Globally, less than half of working-age women participate in the workforce, and those who do often earn less than their male counterparts.
In tech specifically, women hold only 28 percent of jobs, with an even smaller percentage of five per cent occupying leadership positions. Women of colour, including Black women, are particularly underrepresented in the field.
In Ghana, women represent about 17.57 percent of the tech workforce, with the majority working in sectors like manufacturing, mining, and public utilities. While this shows some participation, the representation of women in more specialized and technical fields such as cybersecurity remains low.
Challenges Facing Women in Cybersecurity
Gender bias remains one of the most significant hurdles for women in the cybersecurity field. Mrs. Olayinka Naa Dzama Wilson-Kofi, President of Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS), West Africa, highlights several key challenges women face, including gender stereotyping, lack of mentorship, and unequal recognition in the workplace.
Her own journey in cybersecurity has been fraught with obstacles. Throughout her career, she has experienced discrimination, intimidation from male colleagues, and difficulty achieving a healthy work-life balance.
Despite these challenges, Mrs Wilson-Kofi has built a successful career spanning over 16 years, working across Ghana, Nigeria, and now with Ericsson as an Information Security and Privacy Specialist.
Her experience reflects a broader trend in the industry. Women often face fewer opportunities for career advancement and are underpaid compared to their male counterparts. In addition, the lack of female mentors in the cybersecurity space exacerbates these challenges.
Mrs Wilson-Kofi herself was fortunate to have a male mentor in the person of Mr. C. K. Bruce, Chief Executive Officer of Innovare, Ghana, however she believes that having female role models would provide greater insight into the unique struggles women face in this field.
A Story of Resilience: Mrs. Wilson-Kofi’s Journey
Mrs. Wilson-Kofi’s passion for technology began as a child in Tema, Ghana, where she developed an interest in computers in the 1990s. Despite financial constraints, she pursued her passion for IT with the support of her family. Her father took out loans to fund her education, enabling her to pursue a career that seemed out of reach for many women her age.
Overcoming challenges such as gender stereotyping, Wilson-Kofi has played a key role in developing cybersecurity policies and initiatives in organisations like the National Lotteries Authority and Ecobank.
Today, she mentors women across Ghana and internationally, helping to inspire and guide the next generation of female cybersecurity professionals.
Wilson-Kofi’s story is a testament of resilience and determination. Her journey underscores the importance of perseverance in overcoming societal barriers and achieving success in a male-dominated industry.
WiCyS West Africa: Empowering Women in Cybersecurity
Under Mrs Wilson-Kofi’s leadership, Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) West Africa is working to bridge the gender gap in the cybersecurity field. The organisation aims to improve diversity in the cybersecurity workforce by offering mentorship, training, and networking opportunities for women across the region.
WiCyS is a global non-profit established in 2012, with chapters in several countries, including the U.S. and Ghana. The West Africa chapter, which began in 2022, focuses on creating more opportunities for women in cybersecurity across countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, and Côte D’Ivoire.
The organisation’s mission is to provide support for women in the field and help them overcome the unique challenges they face.
WiCyS offers various initiatives, including student chapters at universities like the University of Ghana and Accra Technical University, as well as partnerships with organizations like Cyber Bells.
These partnerships help raise awareness of cybersecurity and encourage young girls to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Creating Opportunities for Women in Tech
Mrs Wilson-Kofi advocates creating funding schemes, such as grants and scholarships, to support women pursuing careers in STEM. Such funding could help alleviate the financial barriers that many women face when entering the tech industry, enabling them to pursue their goals without the burden of student loans.
She also calls for partnerships between the government and tech training institutions to organise boot camps that offer hands-on experience, as well as mentorship programmes where successful professionals can guide and inspire women. These initiatives can help close the skills gap by providing practical experience and fostering a supportive community.
In addition, Mrs Wilson-Kofi emphasises the importance of incorporating hands-on training into university curricula, allowing students to gain industry experience before they graduate. This real-world experience will equip them with the skills needed to succeed in the competitive cybersecurity field.
On the part of parents, she encourages support for young girls interested in STEM education, stressing that parents play a vital role in helping their children navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
She advises parents to monitor their children’s use of the internet, set appropriate screen time, and provide guidance on how to explore the digital world safely.
A Collective Effort for Change
Empowering women in cybersecurity requires a concerted effort from governments, organisations, educational institutions, and individuals. The goal is to close the gender gap, foster a more inclusive work environment, and create opportunities for women to thrive and lead in this critical field.
Organisations like the Cyber Security Authority and WiCyS play a pivotal role in providing mentorship, training, and a supportive network for women in cybersecurity.
By breaking down barriers and fostering a culture of inclusion, these institutions are helping to create a more diverse and resilient cybersecurity workforce.
As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential to create equal opportunities for women to enter and succeed in cybersecurity.
With the right support, policies, and initiatives, women can play a vital role in shaping the future of cybersecurity—both in Ghana and globally.
