MTN opens nomination entries at the launch of Women in ICT-Partnership for Change Awards. (Image source: File)
MTN has announced the launch of the second edition of the Women in ICT – Partnership for Change Awards, and has invited nominations from and for eligible female professionals working in the information and communication technologies (ICT) sector for consideration in various categories.
This initiative seeks to accelerate women’s participation in the ICT sector by celebrating and rewarding women professionals who have made a significant contribution to the growth and development of the ICT sector. In doing so, this initiative hopes to attract girl children and young aspirant female professionals to consider a profession in the industry and enhance the industry’s employer value proposition.
This year, the Women in ICT – Partnership for Change Awards has introduced a new category known as: The Public Choice Award. This category gives members of the public the opportunity to nominate an outstanding female professional in the ICT sector using an SMS platform. The dedicated SMS number will be unveiled in due course.
Mapula Bodibe, Executive for the Consumer Business Unit at MTN SA, says that despite the strides being made by women professionals in ICT, a lot still needs to be done to increase the levels of women participation in the sector.
“We are here today to launch the second edition of Women in ICT – Partnership for Change Awards. We dedicate this initiative to the millions of women out there who have, over the years, been the symbols of resilience, fortitude, hope and sustenance.
These women represent our mothers, sisters, friends and colleagues. It is these women that demonstrated an inner strength that is remarkable in the face of various types of adversity. Like a phoenix, they have, during times of great difficulty, managed to rise from the ashes and served as a source of inspiration to those around them.
The representation of and by women in the ICT is still negligible. Regardless of how bleak the statistics are, there are still pockets of remarkable women leaders in the ICT sector. I wish to appeal to these professionals to use their influence and positions to pave the way for other female professionals to thrive and prosper.
We need to dispose of the exclusivist: “I am the first woman to...” mindset. We have to re-awaken the nurturing spirit that women are renowned for - to mentor and coach female professionals who are still rising up the ranks,” says Bodibe.
Nominations for entries can be submitted at /> The closing date is 04 August 2017.
Staff Writer