Baratang Miya is bridging the gender gap with GirlsHYPE

Baratang Miya is bridging the gender gap with GirlsHYPE. UNESCO particularly reports that women make up only about 28% of the global tech workforce and 30% in sub-Saharan Africa. This highlights the ongoing challenges young girls face in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Empowering Women and Girls Through Tech Education

 The data majorly shows a critical need for initiatives to help women and girls overcome longstanding barriers. South African tech enthusiast Baratang Miya is addressing these issues as a self-taught coder and founder of GirlHYPE. Specifically, where she empowers young women and girls with coding skills and digital literacy.

Growing up in South Africa, Miya saw firsthand the inequalities women face, especially the lack of resources in underserved communities. This experience primarily drove her to create GirlHYPE in 2003. More so, through her initiative, she has equipped over a million women and girls across South Africa with essential tech and digital skills. Even before “women in tech” became a widespread movement, GirlHYPE was already making strides. What rather started as a small initiative has grown into a prominent nonprofit in South Africa. Today, GirlHYPE has launched over 93 programs within and outside the country. Additionally, partnering with organizations like UN Women and Mozilla to offer coding boot camps and mentorship programs. In addition, digital literacy workshops, opening doors to tech careers that might otherwise remain closed.

Furthermore, Miya’s work addresses both gender and digital divides. In an interview with Africa Com, she emphasized the need for more women in tech. Consistently, stating, “It is statistically proven that there is a shortage of women in tech. We’re focusing on increasing the pipeline of women that join the industry.”

Baratang Miya is bridging the gender gap with GirlsHYPE

Moreover, through GirlHYPE’s programs, participants build skills that help them pursue fulfilling careers in the digital world. The organization offers coding camps, app development workshops, and mentorship. This also includes the #CodeLikeAGirl initiative, to develop essential tech skills. Miya also uses the Women Tech Policy Hub to influence tech policies and advocate for funding. Specifically, to support female-led startups and tech education.

For instance, one of GirlHYPE’s key partnerships was with Google, which helped enhance their curriculum. It also gave participants access to industry-leading tools and resources.

In 2015, Miya joined the TechWomen program, a U.S. Department of State initiative supporting women in STEM fields worldwide. This experience connected her with female leaders and mentors, strengthening her commitment to women’s empowerment in tech. She also launched the Women Tech Policy Hub to encourage women across Africa. As a result, to shape the tech policies and advocate for gender equity in the digital space.

Finally, Miya’s contributions have earned her widespread recognition. For example, the Anzisha Prize for African Youth Entrepreneurship and the TechWomen Emerging Leader Award. She serves on various boards, including Silicon Cape and the National Black IT Forum.  Especially, as a strategic national partner in the “We the Internet” initiative. Through GirlHYPE and the Women Tech Policy Hub, Miya is proving that technology’s future must be inclusive. Majorly ensuring opportunities for all—especially women.

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