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By Melissa Wessels, Director of Professional Services at MRI Software

Despite greater awareness and growing initiatives, women remain underrepresented across the technology industry both in South Africa and worldwide. From the classroom to the boardroom, structural and cultural barriers continue to slow our progress. These challenges cannot be ignored. From  limited access to STEM education at a young age, to being passed over for leadership or technical roles later in their careers, the obstacles women face in tech are real. While progress has been made, there is still a long way to go.

Early discouragement and lack of visibility

Girls often perform strongly in maths and science, but many step away from these subjects by high school. According to  Robyn Newby, Director of Talent Management, media and pop culture still portray tech roles as male-driven, and the lack of visible female role models reinforces this perception. It creates a cycle of exclusion that the industry must actively solve.  

For many, the problem begins with awareness. 

“When girls don’t see or know women in software engineering, product development, or IT, they subconsciously disqualify themselves. In some communities, many don’t even know these roles exist”, says Omobolanle Adekola, product owner.

Retention is the bigger challenge

While access matters, retention may be an even bigger challenge. Women who enter the industry often leave mid-career due to rigid work cultures and limited progression.

Anthea Baroutsos, Director of Managed Services, believes the conversation must shift  because we often talk about getting more women into tech, but far less about how to keep them there. Representation without recognition isn’t progress. Real change is when women are designing the systems, leading the conversations, and defining the future of tech.

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Shaping the future through mentorship and leadership

Across South Africa, bursaries, hackathons, and mentorship programmes are equipping young women with pathways into the sector. I lead LEAD SA, an initiative providing mentorship and on-the-job training. Its inaugural intake achieved gender parity, with women making up half of the participants. “It’s not just about getting more women into the room. It’s about creating a space where they’re heard, supported, and given equal opportunity to lead and thrive. That’s the real work.

 A call for systemic, intersectional change

As Anthea notes, South Africa’s conversation on gender equity must also address race, class, geography, and access. Solutions that are context-aware and community-informed will ensure lasting transformation. For me, the message is clear: Change needs to be systemic and supported at every level. When women in tech are not just present but empowered to lead, that’s when the industry, and society, will transform.

Melissa Wessels is the Director of Professional Services at MRI Software in charge of the LEAD SA programme

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