During AIS’16 in Botswana, we caught up with several women who work diligently in the ICT sector in many parts of Africa as they shared with us their stories, passion and struggles.
We talked to Anissa BHAR, AIS’16 fellow who teaches at the university ISET Charguia in Tunisia and her colleague Afifa HARIZ FRIKHA from the IPv6 team at the university.
• Anissa BHAR: Where and what did you study at university?
I studied at the « High Institute of Management » with specialisation in Computing Management (Informatique de gestion) for four years and had my MSc in IT Management, then at the National School for Computer Science, for two years and had my Certificate of specialised studies in Computer Science, after I had my Aggregation in Computer Science.
• Where have you worked and in what role?
I've been working at ISET Nabeul, then ISET Rades, then ISET Charguia since 1999, as computer science teacher, specialized in system and network administration.
• How long have you been working in the ICT industry?
I have been working in the ICT since 1999.
• Why did you choose a career in the ICT industry?
I enjoy dealing with computer systems and networks; and I'm convinced that ICT is the key to humanity success if well used. In fact, information and ICTs are tools through which gender equality and women's empowerment can be advanced, and are integral to the creation of societies in which both women and men can substantively contribute and participate. Hence, all will need to master and exploit the full potential of modern technologies.
• What are the challenges that women face in the ICT industry in your country? Do these differ from other industries or what women face in your society?
Computer science technologies are always changing; every two-three months you have something new, evolution in this field is continuous and rapid, all have to be up to date otherwise we can't go on in this field of work, the challenge for women is that she has to do more efforts to stay up to date compared to other fields (like management, languages, literature, specially in our country women have to take care of children, home, cooking..., besides her work.
• What are the opportunities for women in the ICT industry in your country?
No special opportunities compared to men. Hopefully in our country, gender equality is one of our government priorities. Jobs in ICT are attributed based mainly on candidates' skills, not on gender.
• What advice would you give to young women trying to get into the ICT industry in your country?
As only about 30% of people working in the information and communication (ICT) sector are women, we are under-represented at all levels in the ICT sector, especially in decision-making positions. So we need to increase this number and be involved in every decision.
• Is there anything else you want to add?
As I've been in Botswana, I met many African women in ICT. We all shared the will to help each other to promote and assist African women who face barriers such as poverty, illiteracy, and discrimination when getting training and education. Technology and access to the Internet is essential to women empowerment across the continent and it is a key to overcoming these barriers in the first place.
We have to push our governments to work together and find solutions to achieve Internet connectivity to all citizens. We should share experience and help each other. Actually, in my country, compared to other African countries, women have good opportunities to be in ICT or any other sectors, women can study, work, and practice any activity they want to do. The only challenge is how can they achieve this with family/home responsibilities as men don't still share these responsibilities with women.
Afifa HARIZ: Where and what did you study at university?
I studied the preparatory cycle for engineering at Sciences University of Sfax for two years, then at the Sciences University of Tunis for computer science, for four years so I am a computer engineer. In 2005, I specialised in Computer Science studies.
• Where have you worked and in what role?
From 1989 to 2005 I worked at the National Institute of Meteorology as a computer engineer and I was also a co-director at this institute
From 2005 to today I'm a university teacher at the Higher Institute of Technological Studies.
• How long have you been working in the ICT industry?
I have been working in ICT industry since 1989 so 27 years in ICT industry.
• Why did you choose a career in the ICT industry?
It is a diverse and dynamic field, in addition, the ICT industry has become an integral part of business.
• What are the challenges that women face in the ICT industry in your country? Do these differ from other industries or what women face in your society?
The challenges in our country are: first, that women excel more and more at national and international levels because of their competencies, second, equality between men and women.
• What are the opportunities for women in the ICT industry in your country?
Tunisia is pursuing a sustained policy to ensure equality between men and women in all sectors among them the ICT industry. This is abundantly clear in the national ICT strategy, also, women in Tunisia can take in charge positions key in ICT field.
• Who has been a role model for you in your career?
My role model is not one person, but an entire group of people. My role models are the well-known men and women of the ICT industry.
• What advice would you give to young women trying to get into the ICT industry in your country?
You get to go out and build the future every day. In spite of what you might think, giving the paucity of females in technology, it's a pretty good place for women to work.
Is there anything else you want to add?
Other Advices: (which mostly applies to both genders)
• The best way to learn in the tech field is to jump in and build things, so you should go ahead and do that as much as possible.
• Don't be intimidated by those who seem to know more than you. It's very easy to techno-babble at someone and seem intelligent. Never be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand something. It's a great way to learn.
• Sadly, you will likely run into some sexism. Don't let it get you down. One of the nice things about engineering is that you can usually prove an idea is better by building it. Don't be afraid to ignore nay-sayers and just go for it.
