A Note for the Women in Tech

A Note for the Women in Tech

Categories: Special Promotions & Campaigns|Published On: March 8, 2022|3.7 min read|
About the Author

Syazana Khan

A communications specialist and technology wordsmith with over 2 years experience in the IT and professional development training arena.

#BreakTheBias #IWD2022  

 Ruby Kaur, Country Manager of Trainocate Malaysia shares her insights on breaking the glass ceiling and why representation always matters.  


A Note for the Women in Tech. 

I wanted to start this note off with a quote from Anita Borg, computer scientist and founder of the Institute for Women and Technology and the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing. 

“If women want to ensure themselves a meaningful place in the future, they need to be among those determining how technology will be used. They need to be among those deciding whether it will be the great leveller or simply serve to worsen the social division.”  

Susan Wojcicki, Ginni Rometty, Sherly Sandberg, Meg Whitman, Reshma Saujani, Ellen K Pao are names of some of the amazing women that have shattered the glass ceiling. These women have risen to the challenge, showed resilience and strength in changing the tech landscape. With every passing year, we see more people that look like us on top, leading multibillion-dollar companies, making power moves and transforming the world. As a woman in a leadership position within the field, this makes me incredibly proud. ‘But is this it?’ ‘Are we truly represented at every level, especially at the top?’ ‘Have we really shattered the glass ceiling?’  I often find myself asking these questions. 

Technology is undoubtedly progressing at an unprecedented rate, but the field is still plagued with gender bias and inequality across the board. Although growth is obvious if compared to the last decade, the pace of growth is anything but fast, thus women remain massively underrepresented at every level.  

According to a survey conducted by Studio Graphene, a UK based tech innovation company, 49% of women have experienced some form of discrimination at the workplace and similarly, 60% of respondents believe that the lack of diversity is an issue in the tech sector. In Malaysia, it is reported that only 35% of women make up the technology workforce. These statistics are sombre for how far we have come as a society. By keeping women out of technology, the sector is losing out on skills and differing perspectives that could boost the growth of the tech sector even further.  

 

Why is it so important to advocate for more women in tech? 

The foremost reason would be to ensure that women’s issues are heard and provided solutions for through technological advancement. With more women entering the arena trying to solve women related issues, ‘Fem-Tech’ or female technology is dubbed to be the next ‘big thing’ in the healthcare/ technology sector. From cancer research to menopause and fertility complications, women are utilizing technology to find innovative solutions.  

Secondly would be to ensure that the next generation of female technologists are nurtured into the field by women role models that have paved the way for them. When you see someone that looks like you on the top, you start believing that you can do the same, and this is essential to break norms.  

I also believe in the importance of diversity of thought. By tapping into diverse voices from different races, ethnicities, and genders you can identify gaps within your problem-solving methods, find innovative solutions and produce big ideas. Every voice has a story to tell, and it is important to hear them all.  

It is safe to say that we still have a long way to go before we smash through the glass ceiling. Nevertheless, we are on the right track in achieving equality and diversity as women in tech.  

Before I end my note, I will leave you with some advice. If you are a woman thinking of venturing into technology, be self-assertive and confident with what you bring to the table. Find a good mentor to help you navigate rough waters and unknown terrains. And finally, never stop learning. Adopting a growth mindset and embracing lifelong learning will take you far in a field that requires consistently improving your technical proficiency. According to a study, only 1 in 4 women fill technical positions, so if you want to make an impact and advance women in the field, get that certification and validate your skills. It is time to #BreakTheBias.  Will you help? 

 

 


 

Breaking Barriers: Women in Tech |  Microsoft x Trainocate Malaysia  (Sponsored Data and AI Training)

Our aim in introducing the Breaking Barriers: Women in Tech in collaboration with Microsoft is to provide women in Malaysia with a platform to equip themselves with current essential technical skills to bridge technological barriers and gaps that are evident between women and tech. This campaign in specific will highlight two emerging technologies – Data and Artificial Intelligence. So, whether you are upskilling to climb the ladder, or are planning to foray into a new field, we can assure you that the Data and AI (Artificial Intelligence) training courses can help on your skilling journey, no matter what stage you are at. 

 

About the Author

Syazana Khan

A communications specialist and technology wordsmith with over 2 years experience in the IT and professional development training arena.