Malisha Awunor

While millions of VR headsets have been sold, outside of gaming, the market is yet to see mainstream adoption. But there are other applications, such as exploring human interactions from different perspectives. One is a locally developed VR experience program called In my Shoes, which is deploying empathy and identification to tackle discrimination in the workplace.

The program was created by then group head of people and culture Malisha Awunor during her time at JSE-listed technology vendor EOH. It formed part of a broad diversity and inclusion awareness programme – with this deployment of VR technology intended to drive empathy through experience, taking the “walk a mile in someone’s shoes” adage as close to literal as possible.