Women in Technology – What men can do…

Last month’s “A Day in Tech”, event was attended by more than a dozen people. The theme was on “Women in Technology ; Impacting global change with technology” with the speaker being Sheila Bartels-Sam, CEO of in Charge Global.

Sheila began by telling us about herself and her background, She was kind of a tom-boy, doing stuff that guys would do, she cited an example of fixing her broken radio all by herself. Actually there wasn’t any guy around to help her out; she has 8 sisters and a brother.

Sheila traveled to the USA to study and work; she started an online business after being fired from her receptionist job in a very prestigious hotel. Her online business was very successful and broke the grounds for her to engage in other online businesses. She moved to Ghana and realized the challenges Ghanaian’s face with online payment systems, that’s when inCharge Global was born.

InCharge Global’s primary business is Electronic Payments services. They offer turnkey products through multiple channels such as ATMs, POS, internet, mobile technology and other electronic means

Sheila is also championing the rights of women in Ghana. She believes that women should be given equal opportunities as men. Back in the day, people expected women to stay in the kitchen and do the chores at home, work on the farm or take care of the babies, now things have changed, women are taking up much more important roles in the corporate world and even in technology. Today the CEO of Yahoo-Marissa Mayer,  Brooke Moreland – CEO of Fashism,  Juliana Rotich – Executive Director of Ushahidi and Sheila Bartels-Sam- CEO of InCharge Global all hold top positions in major Tech Companies.

There was an interesting debate about the fear that in 50 years time, if care is not taken, men may end up in the same position as women today and there will be a need to push for “the right for men to be equal with women,” men will be crying out for equality when the “woman” becomes the boss.

Sheila is of a different opinion, She isn’t pushing for the rights of women only but gender equality, she stressed that women must be given the same opportunities as men and not be sidelined as helpers to men.

Share your opinion on this debate here