Women in Tech

I was recently asked to take part in a business roundtable discussion to examine gender stereotyping and how we can get more women and young girls into the world of technology. To say I was honoured is an understatement. I was personally very humbled to be asked to take part with figures from throughout the industry with years of experience. I wanted to give you a quick rundown of the discussion. If you want to watch the full video – you can do so here.

“As it stands just 19% of the tech workforce are women”

8 Facts About Women in the Tech Industry,womenintech.co.uk

Encouraging the next generation of talent – There really has never been a better time for encourage young women into a career in the tech world. They are the first generation being told they can be whoever they want, they have role models the baby booming generation could only dream of and their aspirations are otherworldly. Not only that but they are essentially being born with iPads in their hands, so their grasp of technology is vast.

Intersectionality – We know that across society on the whole, more needs to be done in regard to not only ensuring women are represented but women of colour also are seen as equal. 2020 data shows that just 3% of the USA technology workforce are black. More organisations such as Black Girls Code are just a small part of what is required to help ensure women from all racial backgrounds are represented.

Allyship – Out of 9 attendees, 2 males attended with one describing themself as an ally to the equality movement. Male allyship not only in business but in wider society is pivotal to women moving into leadership and senior management roles as well as closing that all important gender pay gap.

After agreeing that we need to hire more women into tech, I filed a motion that we also need to make the industry a safe and enjoyable place for those women to work. I felt like perhaps some were convinced that the UK technology industry was already a safe place, but I would beg to differ. I have been inappropriately groped at parties and events, asked how I can do my job in heels, been propositioned by a colleague in a lift after a social event and had a male member of staff insinuate 3 times during a meeting that I make porn films in my spare time, despite the fact that I was one of the only managers in the room. The same man decided to call a female member of staff “Double D”. I’m sure you can all imagine why.

So, what can we do to make the environment a safer place for women and young girls? For me, it goes back to the ideas of everyday sexism and ‘bro-culture’. What some may regard as a passing comment or ‘banter’ is actually some of the damaging behaviour that has held women back for centuries.

“A third (33%) have been asked if their mood was related to their time of the month“

CW Jobs, Everyday Sexism in the Tech Industry

So, what can be done? Simple really. Act up, say something, correct the person, address it. These may be difficult for women to do for themselves in the moment due to sheer embarrassment that professional people choose to address them in this manner. Bringing us full circle to the idea of allyship. If you are a male that associates with this label, then I employ you to use it. If you hear or witness ‘bro-culture’ behaviour, then do challenge them on it. Why have they said it? How do they think it made the woman feel? Do you they view that as professional behaviour? We must hold individuals accountable for their behaviour.

We must tackle sexism in the tech industry, challenge the status quo and consistently monitored it at all levels. This not only involves solving problems in the current workplace but also getting things right at an educational level. More females need to be encouraged into the tech industry but let’s make our industry an example of what equality really can look like in the workplace.