The underrepresentation of women in the technology industry is well documented. With the number of women employed in the digital workforce estimated to be just 17% [i]of Europe’s IT workforce estimated to be female as of 20XX.
Increasingly, it is acknowledged that the issue is twofold (at least). First, there are not enough women currently working or qualified in IT professions for any tech team to achieve the coveted 50:50 gender balance. Secondly, having been a male dominated industry for decades, technology is not always the most welcoming environment.
The former is rooted largely in the “technology is for boys” attitudes that were still pervasive when the youngest of the working population were making choices about what to study. With only around 8% female STEM graduates in 2018 according to education campaign WISE. In fact, the same sentiments are still evident in toy stores: see the boys’ video games, robots etc and the girls’ aisle filled with pink dolls and kitchen sets).
Sometimes, when we are lucky, out of marginalisation comes a sense of community among the marginalised. International Women’s day brings forth countless opportunities for the few women in technology to commune. These events range from panel discussions on navigating the boys club and breaking through people’s expectations to networking events with other like-minded female professionals or, most refreshingly, spaces to look ahead to the future of what really unites you; technology.
Women in London Talk Tech: Data - the New Oil?
When: March 25 2020
Where: London, United Kingdom
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/women-in-london-talk-tech-data-the-new-oil-tickets-93817796555
Returners/Re-trainers
When: March 26 2020
Where: Manchester
Industrial Masters for Artificial Intelligence (IMAI) Roundtable
When: 31 March 2020
Where: Belfast, Ormeau Baths
If your diary is already at capacity for March, fear not, some events are year round series. Women In Technology are also hosting their annual conference in June of this year.
The Women of Silicon Roundabout
When: 16-17 June 2020
Where: ExCeL London
WISE Conference 2020
When: 22 September
Where: York
