Recent statistics out of Silicon Valley from the likes of Google, Facebook and Twitter have shined a light on the extreme lack of diversity at the companies building the systems and technologies that shape our digital cultures.
Only 13% of Google’s technical staff are female, and the ratio is even lower at Twitter with 10%. This needs our attention, as those shaping our digital future are not representative of the diversity in our society.
As an Australian researcher (a Tech Girl myself!) and advocate for gender diversity, I developed Tech Girls Are Superheroes to address this gender imbalance. Using comic book-style superheroes which are visually appealing to all ages, the Tech Girls Movement adopts this concept as an allegorical exploration of social issues to showcase the unsung female Tech Heroes among us. There is an innate desire of humanity to believe in powers greater than ourselves, so this campaign upends gender roles and stereotypes to educate parents and teachers, and to empower school girls to create their own tech futures.
At a recent corporate lunch at Glentworth, an information management firm with a strong female workforce, I discussed practical strategies for business both within and outside the IT industry to participate in reshaping our digital cultures to be more representative.
These strategies can empower school girls and women working in the industry.
Change practice: everyday acts can make a difference. Get involved in informal or formal mentoring, share your experiences of working in the tech industry, invite others to step forward confidently and actively participate.
Change conversations: ask girls what bothers them about the world. Engage them in positive conversations about their future, rather than only commenting on how cute they are or how nice their dress is.
Change expectations: get boys and men used to seeing women carrying out important decision making. Then they will expect it and question it when they don’t see it.
Change culture: men and women need to overcome unconscious bias and consciously include women in all decision making. Stand up to those who behave inappropriately.