This is a complex and challenging area and I deal with "diversity" issues for companies seeking to redress the balance. Some of the technologists I've spoken with have said they are the only female in the entire department or the only female on their floor.
I don't think I have all the answers, but I think it starts at a very early age. For instance, girls in the west are not rewarded for doing well at Maths and Science - they are probably more rewarded for having a "cool" outfit or doing their hair nicely in terms of the compliments they get. Having had to search for top female talent, I know that education wise, even doing an MBA, that the numbers are far lower - in my class there were 15/65 females.
The next area is more difficult - as I've written elsewhere, good technologists do one of two things (in general) - 1) If they want to stay as a developer or engineer, they tend to contract - why? simple maths, they can take the contracts when they can, earn twice to four times as much money for the same job. OR 2) get promoted out of their technical expertise - brains and the ability to organise get turned into team leading and project management skills for male and females alike. The result is that after 5 years or so, many of the technical skills are falling by the way side.
Having set the scene, back to the question: What can be done to improve the number of women in the Technology sector? First instill in every child that they are a creative genius who can build anything they want. Secondly in primary, secondary education ensure that the teaching mechanisms allow everyone the opportunity to learn (eg NLP in the class room with a wide mix of theoretical and practical work which builds confidence and self-esteem). Third, create the competitions for all female teams to design the gadgets of the future - after all it's the women who think the mobile phone is an essential gadget which they could not do without (far more than the men). Once young females get the notion that gadgets can keep/build relationships there's no telling where their application centred desires will take them.
University and beyond: ensure that technologists are not viewed as the lowest level team member on projects or "the last to know" about changes in project design and priorities. Create "career" management paths to ensure that skills are kept up to date. Ensure that as life changes - eg having kids - is not seen as a detriment to producing good work - after all, with technology advances anyone should be able to work at home and be in communication with the office.
I'm afraid I've added nothing new to the pot, though I hope the perspective is one which when added to others will help move everyone forward.
Alison Murray
posted July 11, 2007
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