Community Building Archives

Career Development, Collaborative Growth, Community Building, Empowering Women, Gender Equality, Professional Growth

AI and automation future sets Africa up for a gender divide

Posted on April 9, 2025April 9, 2025 by Nasi Hako

09
Apr

As artificial intelligence (AI) and automation continue to reshape industries globally, new findings suggest that these technological advancements could exacerbate existing gender-based inequalities. A recent report by Caribou and Genesis Analytics highlights that more women than men in Africa’s outsourcing sector are at risk of being replaced by automation and AI by 2030.

The report reveals a concerning trend: on average, women are 10% more vulnerable to the negative impacts of automation than men in the same sector. This discrepancy can be attributed to the fact that many women are employed in junior and lower-paying roles, which are the most susceptible to automation.

However, with the global AI market growing exponentially and expected to increase fivefold in the next five years, this vulnerability could leave women even more exposed to job displacement.

In Africa’s outsourcing sector alone, 40% of human tasks are at risk of automation. While AI presents significant opportunities for economic growth, enhanced workflows and cost reduction, it also raises the risk of mass job displacement. This is particularly worrisome for women and youth as they statistically occupy junior roles that are more easily automated.

“Junior roles, which are most common in the sector, are highly susceptible to automation, with over half of tasks automatable. Women, who disproportionately occupy these roles, face a 10% higher automation risk than men,” the report says.

To address this issue, the report calls for proactive steps to mitigate the risks of AI integration. It suggests implementing responsible AI practices and offering targeted skills training to help workers adapt to new roles. By upskilling the workforce and aligning training with emerging technological demands, women and other vulnerable groups can better navigate the changing landscape.

“To prepare young Africans for an AI-driven workforce, foundational knowledge in AI, proficiency in technical tools, and robust soft skills—such as adaptability, communication, and emotional intelligence—will be indispensable,” the report reads.

As Africa embraces the digital revolution, it’s essential to ensure that women are not left behind. To explore how women can thrive in this digital transformation, join the WomenIN Digital event at Converge Africa, a premier gathering designed to empower female tech professionals. Running alongside the event from 6-8 May 2025, the WomenIN Digital Transformation inclusive program provides opportunities for networking, inspiration and creating new pathways for women in the digital world.

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Career Development, Collaborative Growth, Community Building, Empowering Women, Gender Equality

Working women experience more stress than working men

Posted on April 4, 2025April 4, 2025 by Nasi Hako

04
Apr

Women in the workplace are stressed and there are numbers to prove it. Despite progress toward gender equality, professional women continue to experience higher levels of stress, anxiety and burnout than their male counterparts.

Research shows that work-related stress affects women 50% more than men of the same age, making them more vulnerable to mental health challenges, exhaustion and even chronic illnesses like heart disease.

Beyond the pressures of leadership and career growth, many women are also juggling multiple roles as mothers, caregivers or household managers while facing persistent workplace discrimination and pay inequality.

With a global labour force participation rate of under 47% for women compared to 72% for men, female professionals are often working harder just to have a seat at the table.
But what makes the stress gap between men and women so stark? Experts point to several key factors, including:

Social pressure to be agreeable: Women are often expected to be warm, collaborative, and accommodating, making it harder for them to assert boundaries or advocate for themselves without facing backlash.

Lower pay and financial insecurity: Women continue to earn less than their male counterparts for the same roles, leading to greater financial stress and limited economic freedom.

Stereotype threat: The fear of confirming negative gender stereotypes about women’s capabilities can lead to overcompensation and burnout or, in some cases, self-doubt and underperformance.

What can we do?
Given that April is Stress Awareness Month, WomenIN encourages individuals to recognise stress, take proactive steps to manage it and advocate for workplace environments that prioritise well-being.
Here are three key ways to take control:

Prioritise self-care: Small habits like regular exercise, mindfulness and setting boundaries can significantly reduce stress levels.

Build a strong support network: Connect with mentors, peers and allies who provide encouragement and guidance.

Advocate for change: Speak up about fair pay, equal opportunities and inclusive workplace policies to create healthier and more balanced work environments.

The journey towards balance and empowerment is ongoing, but with support, awareness and systemic change, a future where women can lead without sacrificing their well-being is within reach.
To continue the conversation and connect with like-minded individuals who care about holistic wellness, meaningful connections and conversations that drive change, pre-register for WomenIN Festival 2025 today. Secure your opportunity to be part of a community that empowers and uplifts women across industries.

Need support? Reach out to these helplines

Experiencing stress is not a sign of failure, but it is a call to action. If stress, anxiety or burnout is affecting your well-being, you are not alone. Reach out for help:

South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG): 0800 456 789 (24-hour helpline)
SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0800 567 567
Lifeline South Africa: 0861 322 322
Mental Health Information Line: 0800 567 567
Your well-being matters. Seeking help is a sign of strength.

Capacity Building, Career Development, Community Building, Empowering Women

Transforming Waste into Opportunity: Dr. Gamuchirai Mutezo’s Circular Economy Vision

Posted on August 15, 2024 by admin

15
Aug

Dr Gamuchirai
Founder 
Madam Waste Urban and Energy Planners

Transforming Waste into Opportunity: Dr. Gamuchirai Mutezo’s Circular Economy Vision for Urban Energy

Dr Gamuchirai Mutezo is the founder of Madam Waste, an urban energy planning firm based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Services offered span across urban energy planning, organic waste management and decentralised clean energy using anaerobic digestion.

Using principles of circular economy, Madam Waste endeavours to constantly view waste not in its traditional sense of a disposable material, but as a resource for other activities. She is also a Post Doctoral Fellow at the Centre for Ecological Intelligence (University of Johannesburg) focusing on agro-ecological waste management and circular economy. 

Dr Mutezo has over 14 years’ work experience underpinned by entrepreneurship, renewable energy, applied research and development, all with a keen focus on decentralising energy access in African cities using anaerobic digestion.

She holds a B. Town and Regional Planning (University of Pretoria), an MPhil Energy Poverty and Development (University of Cape Town), Project Management Certificate (University of South Africa) and a DPhil in Urban Biogas and Circular Economy (University of the Witwatersrand).

Dr Mutezo is a member of the African Circular Business Alliance (ACBA), African Circular Economy Network (ACEN) – South Africa and South African Biogas Industry Association (SABIA). She enjoys travelling, reading and worldly conversations.

Know of a phenomenal women doing amazing work that you would like to shine a spotlight on, this could even be you. If so, please send an email to nazlee.fredericks@wearevuka.com.

Capacity Building, Career Development, Collaborative Growth, Community Building

Safiya Aliyu, General Manager at SOSAI Renewable Energies Company

Posted on June 13, 2024August 5, 2024 by admin

13
Jun

Bio

Safiya Aliyu joined the Renewable Energy industry in 2007. She has a Master’s in Business Administration. Before her graduation from the university, she volunteered with the Developmental Association for Renewable Energies (DARE) supporting the Solar Cooker Deployment project and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Project on improved cook stove. Upon graduation from the university, she joined Sosai Renewable Energies Company as a Project Officer, she later rose through the ranks to become a Project Manager in which position she managed the Arthur Guinness Fund/ Relief International Water Filter Project.In 2018, she successfully became a Techwomen fellow after 6 weeks training with her team winning a seed loan for their community impact project; MAAMI Nigeria. She also gave the winning pitch of Solar for healthcare in 2022 at the Nigerian Power Sector Program supported by Power Africa. She is the incumbent Treasurer of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria.

She has been with Sosai since its inception and is presently the General Manager at the core of Sosai’s transformation journey with a lot of dedication and hard work. Safiya has equipped herself in the field of Renewable Energy with several trainings and is now handling the Sosai’s Matan Arewa Project where women are encouraged and trained to become entrepreneurs in the Renewable Energy Sector. She is an expert in the deployment and management of projects on improved cookstoves, solar systems and community development. She has worked with Sosai team to operationalize 5 offgrid solar minigrids, distributed over 150,000 units of improved cookstoves and 20,000 units of solar lighting solutions. Sosai is estimated to have positively impacted 1,000,000 lives through its solutions and will be doing more as the business grows.

Questions

How does your business actively encourage women’s empowerment and development?

At Sosai Renewable Energies Company, we understand that women are backward when it comes to economic growth, this is because they face significant challenges in accessing technology and infrastructure, which limits their earning opportunities and financial inclusion. We encourage women’s empowerment and development by increasing their access to renewable energy technologies that they can resell or use as a piece of business equipment to earn income. We have established solar drying hubs in rural communities where women groups are the custodians of the hub, running the business to dry farm produce for the farmers in and out of their communities. Through this activity, they are promoting food security and also earning income for themselves.

We also support women with startup stock of solar lanterns, solar home systems, and improved cookstoves that they resell to promote the adoption of clean energy, and earn income for themselves. We train these women groups on the right kind of skills needed to grow their business and ensure it is sustainable. Our work with the women groups has increased their socio-economic status.

What message do you have for other women entering a male-dominated sector?

My message to women entering a male-dominated sector like the energy sector is to be confident, know your worth, and keep increasing your knowledge in the field you have chosen. It is important to believe in yourself and your abilities. Advocate for yourself and other women in the sector. It’s also important to seek out mentors and role models who can help you navigate the challenges of working in the sector because there will definitely be tough times that will even make you doubt yourself but with the support from role models and mentors, one will get the energy to be persistent.