On August 9, 1956, 20,000 women from all walks of South African life marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest the discriminatory pass laws. Led by iconic activists like Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, and Albertina Sisulu, the march sent a powerful message of unity and strength. This historic event is now celebrated as National Women's Day, and throughout the entire month of August, the nation pays tribute to the courage and resilience of women.

Women’s Month is an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in advancing women's rights and gender equality, as well as to address the challenges that women still face today. It also serves as a reminder of the essential role that women play in shaping South Africa's society, economy, and future.

With that in mind, we want to shine a spotlight on the amazing work being done by Vodacom to support women in technology.

Women's Network Forum

The Vodacom Women's Network Forum is specially designed to empower and foster the professional growth of women in the workplace. This forum is all about promoting gender equality and creating a supportive environment where women can thrive. Through engaging events, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities, the women at Vodacom get access to valuable resources and connections to help them reach new heights in their careers.

This initiative plays a crucial role in breaking down barriers, encouraging diversity, and unlocking the full potential of women in the workplace. By championing inclusivity and fostering personal development, the Women's Network Forum paves the way for a brighter and more equitable future.

#CodeLikeAGirl

#CodeLikeAGirl is an inspiring initiative aimed at encouraging young girls to explore careers in STEM fields like Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. By empowering them with education and coding skills, Vodacom is paving the way for these girls to become the engineers and innovators of the future. It's all about breaking the stereotypes and opening up exciting opportunities in the world of technology.

Female Farmers program

Vodacom recently launched the Female Farmers program in partnership with UN Women and SAWIF. This initiative is helping women farmers in rural areas of South Africa harness the power of technology. Through digital literacy training and the Connected Farmer app, more than 1,300 women farmers have developed their skills and connected with larger enterprises and suppliers.

Mum & Baby

The Mum & Baby service was launched to provide caregivers with helpful pregnancy information and advice. From educational articles to informative videos, this tool is a treasure trove for anyone caring for a baby or preparing for the arrival of a newborn.

Many people in South Africa face long queues to receive health advice for themselves and their families and often have to travel long distances to reach a clinic, especially in rural areas. To help address this problem, Vodacom developed Mum & Baby: a simple, mobile-based service that provides customers with free step-by-step advice on pregnancy, neonatal and childcare through SMS, educational articles, tutorials, videos and other tools hosted on the platform. Available in multiple languages and with no data costs, Vodacom’s Mum & Baby has helped 1.2 million parents and caregivers take positive actions to improve their child’s health since its launch in 2017.

Promoting a Culture of Belonging at Vodacom

Vodacom's commitment to fighting gender-based violence (GBV) remains consytant. Additionally, their partnership with the Department of Basic Education has placed psychosocial professionals in schools to address bullying and violence. Through the 'Change the World' program, Vodacom is providing prevention, response, and victim support, working alongside government and civil society organizations to make a real difference.

The Vodacom DisABILITY Network is another avenue to ensure a culture of belonging at the company. Established in 2018 by Karen Smit, the DN aims to collaborate with other business units and stakeholders to come up with solutions to the challenges brought to them.

Supporting women throughout the technology industry is crucial for fostering diversity, innovation, and progress. By empowering and providing equal opportunities, we unlock their potential to lead, shape the future, and create a more inclusive tech industry.