IWD 2023 | Let's get digital: Utilising innovation, technology and education for gender equity.
The UN Women’s theme for International Women’s Day 2023 (Wednesday 8th March) focuses on how we might use innovation and technology for better gender equity both on- and offline. Because, despite the advances of digital technology, women still face a number of barriers to equal pay, career opportunities and education in the online space.
Artificial Intelligence is not gender neutral.
Women have made extraordinary contributions to the STEM industries since the early days of computing. But, despite performing as well as men in science and technology, women still represent only 28 per cent of engineering graduates and 22 per cent of AI workers globally. This underrepresentation isn’t just widening the digital gender gap, it’s limiting our technological potential – and costing our economy up to $72bn in GDP annually.
Career-based challenges and opportunities.
While women still face a number of career-based challenges that affect their involvement in the creation, use and regulation of technology, businesses have the opportunity to change this by actively working gender perspectives into their digital plans and processes. By setting the benchmark for better research, data and policies, we can all continue to unpack and overcome the barriers to women’s digital access.
Why equity matters in the digital world.
Our technology is a reflection of our society and our needs. If our programs and tools aren’t informed by the user(s), they’re designed to fail. But, it’s not all doom and gloom: technology can be transformative.
While there are a number of complex barriers to closing the digital gender gap, there are so many ways for innovative technology to support a more equitable online environment for everyone. From digital activism to online learning and platforms for progress, we can use real-time data to enact change on a global level.
As part of this year’s International Women’s Day theme, #PowerOn, UN Women have put forward the following recommendations to help governments, activists and businesses, supercharge a more equitable digital future for all:
Close the gaps in digital access and skills by ensuring that digital plans, policies and provisions consider gender and intersectional perspectives.
Support women in STEM by providing universal broadband access,targeted reskilling/upskilling programs and labour regulations that actively improve the position of women while addressing gender-based discrepancies in unpaid care.
Create tech that meets the needs of women by enforcing ethical and inclusive frameworks that involve women in the research, design and governance of these spaces.
Address technology-facilitated gender-based violence by teaching conscientious digital citizenship, expanding legal frameworks based in human rights, and encouraging boys and men to become advocates for gender equity.
Tips for business leaders.
Swap International Women’s Day cupcakes for a sweeter solution; a platform designed to enact real change in real-time. equidi provides you with an insight across every part of your business on a single dashboard, so you can identify areas of improvement and prioritise action.
Before you sign-off on this year’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) report, course-correct with equidi. We’ll provide you with an insight into your business, plus an industry benchmark so you can see how you measure up against your peers.
The Great Resignation has shown us that both clients and colleagues increasingly seek value-aligned businesses. Retain both by creating a sought-after workplace culture that fosters a more inclusive environment.
Identify and address areas of improvement (before they’re addressed for you). equidi provides tailored recommendations based on your business profile, so you can shape your progress around your company dynamic.
Already on your way? You may want to consider how your business can further improve women’s access to digital education and skills by developing training programs and processes that address gender-based barriers to technology and ensure that women are involved in the day-to-day governance of these areas.
Assess where you’re at with your gender journey.
Ready to shake things up, innovate and ultimately disrupt the status quo?
Reach out for a chat.
