dc.contributor.author |
Botha-Badenhorst, Danielle P
|
|
dc.contributor.author |
Veerasamy, Namosha
|
|
dc.date.accessioned |
2024-02-06T11:01:25Z |
|
dc.date.available |
2024-02-06T11:01:25Z |
|
dc.date.issued |
2023-04 |
|
dc.identifier.citation |
Botha-Badenhorst, D.P. & Veerasamy, N. 2023. Examining barriers to entry: Disparate gender representation in cybersecurity within Sub-Saharan Africa. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/13572 . |
en_ZA |
dc.identifier.isbn |
978-1-914587-64-1 |
|
dc.identifier.isbn |
978-1-914587-63-4 |
|
dc.identifier.issn |
2516-2810 |
|
dc.identifier.issn |
2516-2802 |
|
dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/10204/13572
|
|
dc.description.abstract |
Globally, women are underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), this underrepresentation is even more prevalent, as fewer women pursue STEM careers in SSA when compared to the global norm. Cybersecurity is a critical subsection of STEM; one that is widely accepted as a field withenormous growth potential, yet only a small proportion of these jobs belong to women. Despite attempts to narrow the gender gap in cybersecurity, persistent factors still contribute to this disparity. Within this field, developing countries struggle with the same issues that impact their more developed counterparts. Issues that impact both SSA and the global participation of women in cyber-security include lacking representation and awareness as well as retention problems. Further, issues such as harassment, gender bias and the idea that cybersecurity is a “man’s world” are also contributing factors. A slew of other factors is also at play in SSA; this includes issues of low school attendance by girls, restricted educational opportunities, and other systemic challenges. Girls and women are less likely to complete lower and secondary education, which has a ripple effect – fewer women reach higher education in SSA when compared to global trends. Generally, higher or tertiary education is necessary to join the cybersecurity workforce. Research exploring the challenges women in SSA face when trying to enter the cybersecurity field is limited. This paper presents an overview of the most persistent challenges faced in SSA and globally. It highlights the current skill shortage in the cybersecurity field that is exasperated by global challenges,Barrett, S including issues unique to the region. Educational pathways available to girls and women are explored, as well as the issues leading to widespread skill shortages within SSA. Programs striving to increase the participation of women in cybersecurity are discussed. Lastly, some suggestions to remediate this pervasive issue are also provided. |
en_US |
dc.format |
Fulltext |
en_US |
dc.language.iso |
en |
en_US |
dc.relation.uri |
https://papers.academic-conferences.org/index.php/icgr/issue/view/17/19 |
en_US |
dc.source |
Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Gender Research Conference, Ulster University Magee Campus, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 20 -21 April 2023 |
en_US |
dc.subject |
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics |
en_US |
dc.subject |
STEM |
en_US |
dc.subject |
Women in STEM |
en_US |
dc.subject |
Disparate gender representation |
en_US |
dc.subject |
Disparate gender representation |
en_US |
dc.subject |
Cybersecurity |
en_US |
dc.title |
Examining barriers to entry: Disparate gender representation in cybersecurity within Sub-Saharan Africa |
en_US |
dc.type |
Conference Presentation |
en_US |
dc.description.pages |
47-55 |
en_US |
dc.description.note |
Paper presented at the 6th International Conference on Gender Research Conference, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 20 -21 April 2023 |
en_US |
dc.description.cluster |
Defence and Security |
en_US |
dc.description.impactarea |
Inf and Cybersecurity Centre |
en_US |
dc.identifier.apacitation |
Botha-Badenhorst, D. P., & Veerasamy, N. (2023). Examining barriers to entry: Disparate gender representation in cybersecurity within Sub-Saharan Africa. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/13572 |
en_ZA |
dc.identifier.chicagocitation |
Botha-Badenhorst, Danielle P, and Namosha Veerasamy. "Examining barriers to entry: Disparate gender representation in cybersecurity within Sub-Saharan Africa." <i>Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Gender Research Conference, Ulster University Magee Campus, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 20 -21 April 2023</i> (2023): http://hdl.handle.net/10204/13572 |
en_ZA |
dc.identifier.vancouvercitation |
Botha-Badenhorst DP, Veerasamy N, Examining barriers to entry: Disparate gender representation in cybersecurity within Sub-Saharan Africa; 2023. http://hdl.handle.net/10204/13572 . |
en_ZA |
dc.identifier.ris |
TY - Conference Presentation
AU - Botha-Badenhorst, Danielle P
AU - Veerasamy, Namosha
AB - Globally, women are underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). In Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), this underrepresentation is even more prevalent, as fewer women pursue STEM careers in SSA when compared to the global norm. Cybersecurity is a critical subsection of STEM; one that is widely accepted as a field withenormous growth potential, yet only a small proportion of these jobs belong to women. Despite attempts to narrow the gender gap in cybersecurity, persistent factors still contribute to this disparity. Within this field, developing countries struggle with the same issues that impact their more developed counterparts. Issues that impact both SSA and the global participation of women in cyber-security include lacking representation and awareness as well as retention problems. Further, issues such as harassment, gender bias and the idea that cybersecurity is a “man’s world” are also contributing factors. A slew of other factors is also at play in SSA; this includes issues of low school attendance by girls, restricted educational opportunities, and other systemic challenges. Girls and women are less likely to complete lower and secondary education, which has a ripple effect – fewer women reach higher education in SSA when compared to global trends. Generally, higher or tertiary education is necessary to join the cybersecurity workforce. Research exploring the challenges women in SSA face when trying to enter the cybersecurity field is limited. This paper presents an overview of the most persistent challenges faced in SSA and globally. It highlights the current skill shortage in the cybersecurity field that is exasperated by global challenges,Barrett, S including issues unique to the region. Educational pathways available to girls and women are explored, as well as the issues leading to widespread skill shortages within SSA. Programs striving to increase the participation of women in cybersecurity are discussed. Lastly, some suggestions to remediate this pervasive issue are also provided.
DA - 2023-04
DB - ResearchSpace
DP - CSIR
J1 - Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Gender Research Conference, Ulster University Magee Campus, Londonderry, Northern Ireland, 20 -21 April 2023
KW - Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
KW - STEM
KW - Women in STEM
KW - Disparate gender representation
KW - Disparate gender representation
KW - Cybersecurity
LK - https://researchspace.csir.co.za
PY - 2023
SM - 978-1-914587-64-1
SM - 978-1-914587-63-4
SM - 2516-2810
SM - 2516-2802
T1 - Examining barriers to entry: Disparate gender representation in cybersecurity within Sub-Saharan Africa
TI - Examining barriers to entry: Disparate gender representation in cybersecurity within Sub-Saharan Africa
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10204/13572
ER -
|
en_ZA |
dc.identifier.worklist |
27135 |
en_US |