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Gender Gap In The Tech World
Despite the significant progress made in recent years, women in the technology industry often face unique challenges when it comes to communication and making their voices heard.
From being interrupted or overlooked in meetings to facing unconscious biases that undermine their expertise, women in tech have had to navigate these barriers throughout their careers.
Women pursuing careers in tech continue to grapple with substantial barriers. Gender bias and stereotypes can impact confidence, performance, and career advancement opportunities.
The absence of female role models and mentors further compounds these challenges, hindering the navigation of the unique hurdles associated with working in the tech industry.
In an interview, Anne Muigai, a photographer at Nipashe Biz media house says “Camerawork is enjoyable especially when shooting a feature story. However, my male colleagues would rather have me take notes while they operate the camera work. At times I feel demotivated to accompany them for a shoot because they have labeled me as a *notebook girl*”
Gender Gap In The Tech World
Regrettably, even today, there is still a tendency to think that women should be destined for caregiving professions or those related to children, while the so-called ‘hard’ sciences are reserved for men.
Dr. Faith Njoki Karanja, Associate Professor, Department of Geospatial and Space Technology in the University of Nairobi says, “Sometimes women leaders are not evaluated like men. When women leaders condemn some behaviors and acts. They are judged harshly, unlike their men counterparts in leadership”
To combat gender bias, tech companies must implement comprehensive diversity initiatives.
This includes establishing mentorship programs, promoting women into leadership roles, and ensuring that hiring practices are transparent and equitable.
Training programs aimed at reducing unconscious bias can also be instrumental in creating a more inclusive workplace.
My biggest wish is for women to get over this idea of being less than an authority in the arena in which they are experts, and companies need to put in the effort to make their cultures inclusive from the ground up.
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