26 Aug Women’s Equality Day highlights opportunity for Africa’s security and fire sectors

Women’s Equality Day on August 26 provides an opportunity for Africa’s security and fire sectors to consider the progress being made in opening the industry to more women – and the work still needed to create genuinely inclusive workplaces.

Both sectors face growing demands for specialist skills, from fire engineering and emergency response to cybersecurity, security technology, risk management and leadership. Expanding the pool of people able to enter and progress within these professions can help organisations access a wider range of skills and experience.

There have been notable milestones across Africa this year.

In Ghana, Daniella Mawusi Ntow Sapong became the first woman to head the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) when she was sworn in as Chief Fire Officer in February. She had previously become the Service’s first female Regional Commander and served as Director of Fire Safety.

In South Africa, Women in Security SA (WISSAA) is working to increase women’s participation across the security industry, including guarding, close protection, technology and leadership.

Cybersecurity is another area where initiatives are seeking to address the gender gap. CyberSafe Foundation’s CyberGirls Fellowship has trained thousands of women across 27 African countries, while its CyberGirls+ programme, delivered with SANS Institute, provides selected participants with advanced training and access to GIAC certification.

These initiatives highlight an important distinction between simply encouraging women to enter security and fire careers and creating the conditions for them to build long-term careers.

Access to training, mentoring, professional networks and clear routes into technical and leadership positions can all play a role in retaining female talent and creating visible role models for the next generation.

For Africa’s security and fire industries, the argument for greater inclusion is therefore also a workforce issue. As demand for expertise grows across physical security, digital protection, fire prevention and emergency response, organisations that can attract and develop talent from the widest possible pool will be better positioned to meet those challenges.

Women’s Equality Day offers a useful moment to recognise the progress already being made – while ensuring that today’s milestones become the foundation for sustained participation and leadership across both sectors.