As Africa’s tech industry keeps evolving, another name shining brightly as a beacon of empowerment and innovation is Baratang Miya. She is a technology enthusiast with a strong desire to create a more inclusive future. She has devoted her career to breaking barriers and paving the way for women and girls in coding, web development, and AI.
Despite starting from humble beginnings, she has gained international recognition for her work. Her story serves as a testament to the transformative power of determination and resilience.
Meet Baratang Miya
Baratang Miya, a South African-based utopian and award-winning tech social entrepreneur, has dedicated her career to bridging the gender gap in the technology sector. Through her initiatives, she has empowered women and girls to pursue coding, web development, and AI careers, leaving an indelible mark on Africa’s tech landscape.
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GirlHype Coders Academy by Baratang Miya
In 2003, Baratang founded the GirlHype Coders Academy with a mission to empower women and girls through technology education. The academy has reached over ten thousand individuals and aims to train 200,000 women by 2020, creating a significant employee pipeline for the technology sector.
Baratang believes that coding is a powerful tool for empowering women and girls. Inspired by her journey as a self-taught coder, she founded GirlHype to offer free coding programs for girls in grades 6 to 12, providing them the skills and confidence to thrive in the tech industry.
Co-Founding Uhuru Spaces
As the CEO of GirlHype, Baratang continues to champion digital literacy among underrepresented groups. She also co-founded Uhuru Spaces, a creative co-working space, and Uhuru Female Founders Co-Working Space, furthering her commitment to fostering a supportive ecosystem for women in tech.
Global Impact
Baratang’s efforts have garnered international recognition. She has been a technology writer, judge, and advisor in global tech competitions and hackathons. Mozilla recognized her as one of the “50 People Who Made the Internet a Better Place,” she was the first runner-up for the 2016 MTN Women in ICT Community Builder award.
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Awards and Recognition
Baratang’s commitment to empowering women has earned her prestigious accolades. She received a TechWomen award from the U.S. State Department, allowing her to spend six weeks in Silicon Valley. Additionally, she was chosen for the 2017 ITS Global Policy Fellowship in Brazil, where she worked with key ICT stakeholders and government officials.
Baratang Miya’s tireless dedication to empowering women in tech has made a profound impact, inspiring countless individuals to pursue careers in technology. Her work exemplifies the transformative power of education and serves as a beacon of hope for the next generation of women in Africa’s tech ecosystem.