Jamaica Wants Gender Parity in Tech, But Has a Long Way to Go Still

Jamaica is aiming for gender parity in its tech sector.

Jamaican Senator Dana Morris Dixon highlighted the current disparity in the industry, stating that women only make up 28% of the ICT workforce.

“Women are significantly under-represented in these crucial fields,” Senator Dixon said at a recent technology symposium in Montego Bay. “We need a future where women stand shoulder-to-shoulder with men in the digital space.”

While specific government initiatives for female graduates haven’t been announced yet, this statement signals a clear push for more women in Jamaican tech.

There are women venturing into tech and STEM-related disciplines in Jamaica, but the country has a long way to go still before achieving parity.

At the University of the West Indies, for example, women represent only 30% of computer studies graduates, even though they make up 70% of the university’s student body, according to a UNESCO study.

Jamaica incorporates basic computer skills into the secondary school curriculum, but the country still struggles with a shortage of skilled teachers and inadequate infrastructure.

Across the Caribbean region, women express lower confidence in their computer knowledge and digital abilities, according to a report.

To address this issue, initiatives such as  “Caribbean Hackathon for Girls” have emerged, designed for young women aged 13 to 21. Participants undergo a two-month immersive webinar and workshop training focused on ideation, critical thinking, design thinking, tech tools and cyber safety skills.

Approximately 3,500 girls have been trained under similar programs across six countries in the Caribbean region, yet specific information regarding Jamaica’s participation remains undisclosed.