Founded in 2014, Africa Teen Geeks is one of Africa’s largest computer science NGOs, impacting 600,000 children and 10,000 teachers, and recruiting 2,000 volunteers. The organization plugs a vital gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in South Africa. It makes use of an artificial intelligence-based learning platform MsZora, providing curriculum-focused information that complements teacher intervention and provides students with a personalized tutor inside and outside the classroom. Its Girl Geek Program trains young girls to be future women in STEM; its teacher training programme is run in collaboration with the Department of Education.
To address youth unemployment, especially in Africa, we need to shift youths' efforts from seeking jobs to creating marketable opportunities for themselves.
COVID-19 has exacerbated gender gaps. As economies reopen, policymakers should address structural inequities in essential industries anchored by women.
A pioneering scheme that exploits the similarities between knitting and coding is one way Black South African women are being encouraged to take up careers in tech.
