Gender Equality in Technology – How Can We Support Change?

As our Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day series continues, Bermuda-based Shalanda Durrant-Thomas, VP, Finance and Risk Systems Product Leader, IT shares her thoughts on this year’s International Women’s Day theme from the UN, which is DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality.  

Gender equality in technology is evolving but we have a long way to go. The United Nations is making a difference by highlighting the importance of equality in this area with its theme of innovation and technology as part of International Women’s Day, and organizations such as Girls Who Code and WiSTEM (Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), are also going some way to raising awareness. This focus creates opportunities, empowering women to close the gender gap in technology. While we’re moving in the right direction, there is more to be done... The fact that in 2022 there were 259 million fewer women with access to the internet than men, tells us that. 

The UN’s International Women’s Day theme this year is about observing the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities, as well as shining a light on the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces. There are many great resources available, as well as stories from young women in tech to help protect and inspire the next generation - In focus: International Women's Day | UN Women – Headquarters. 

Globally, technology can be a powerful tool for women in realizing gender equivalence. Programs that promote financial inclusion, access to education and technology can not only transform the trajectory of equality, but in this era of telemedicine can also improve health and overall wellbeing. As we continue to pave the way for gender equality, these are steps we can take to contribute to the effort: 

1. Research and support organizations that are promoting inclusivity and supporting female advancement in tech roles. The following websites have incredible resources that can improve our understanding and actively seek supporters / donations:  

·   Ada Developers Academy 

·   TechWomen 

·   Girls Who Code 

·   Black Girls CODE 

·   Women in Tech 

·   Women in Technology International  

2.  Become an advocate for female use and access to education and technology in regions where it is restricted because of social or economic factors. The World Bank provides some great examples of ways in which it helps to tackle barriers that young women face across the world. Girls' Education Overview (worldbank.org)https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/girlseducation#2 

3. Support programs that help women develop technology-based businesses. The added benefit is that female led businesses are more likely to employ women. 

It’s difficult to overlook the statistics in the areas of education, employment, and representation, which really highlight the current challenges women face: 26% of technology jobs were held by women in 2021 on a global level (source: builtin), 15% of C level positions held by women (source: Finance Online), and female owned startups receive less than 3% of venture capital funding in 2020 (source: Harvard Business Review). The paradox is that when female led startups are funded, they are more likely to be profitable and promote higher levels of social responsibility.  

I started my career in technology in 1995. Since then, I’ve seen – albeit slowly – an increase in women taking on technical roles as executives, board members, leaders, founders, developers, and engineers. Platforms like those I mentioned above can really help us to establish communities of networking and mentorship, and inspire those looking for role models as we pave the way for the next generation. 

I think the UN’s Observance of International Women’s Day at 10 am ET on 8 March will be an eye-opening event, as technologists, innovators, entrepreneurs, and gender equality activists come together to highlight the role of all stakeholders in improving access to digital tools.  

It’s important to me to work in an organization that practices gender equality in technology, and I work with some amazing women (and men) as part of the technology team. When we talk about gender equality generally, and achieving equity in the workplace, I think the path to parity can be realized organically if these practices consistently happen in the workplace: 

i. Focus on the talent and potential of the individual and not the physical attributes 

ii. Consistency in compensation 

iii. Equality in the provision of opportunities, resources and interactions 

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