Hey fellas! It is International Women's Day (IWD) week and I would like to share my thoughts on how to make tech a better place for women to work and grow their careers. It is not limited to a single field of technology but to any line of work but as I am working in the tech my article is focused on the tech world more.
This article is a part of #ChooseToChallenge campaign that is organized by Hashnode to spread awareness regarding social issues. Let's get straight to the point!
The Studies (Majors/Bachelors)
The inequality to women begins right from the start. Right when the schooling ends and one has to select stream for majors/bachelors. Women are criticized to be incompetent to begin their careers in tech.
I have heard this many times firsthand,
You are a girl and technology is not meant for you! Consider Arts as your majors and proceed further!
I am not saying that Arts as a subject is bad but making women forcefully believe that they are incompetent right from their childhood is somewhat snatching their self-confidence right from the start.
This is only the tip of the iceberg! Now let's assume that the Major's stream is selected and even after all those gender criticism has passed. In colleges, women are advised many times to not take certain branches or streams in engineering because some of them require physical work.
It is simply said that this particular branch/stream is not meant for you just because you are a woman thus incompetent. Period.
Keep in mind that women are equally competent to men in all streams of work and no work is too small or to be ashamed of!
This is not the point where it all ends. So now let's see the career side of things!
The Career
This is where women face more inequality. From questioning their attire, dressing, weird and unrelatable questions in the interview, promotions, maternity leave, etc. There are countless issues that women have to face every day at their workplace.
There are many things that need to be addressed and make the workplace equally welcoming and friendly irrespective of gender! This needs to be taken seriously and I take an oath to #ChooseToChallenge such behavior. After all, we as men are real men not by criticism and sexism but by providing equal opportunities to women.
Last but not least
Don't just celebrate International Women's Day on the 8th and just forget. Make every day an IWD to bring a change in society and make it a better place.
Be a torch of light🗽 in this darkness of inequality to bring the change!
That's all for this article and I am thankful that this article is a minute piece of the puzzle to the bigger picture, i.e, IWD.
Going somewhat beyond the scope of this article I would also like to point that I am a biker too and it's sad that out of all bikers in the world less than 5% are women! Everyone should enjoy motorcycles, right? Why can't women have as much fun as men have? If you are a biker too let's bring more women into this awesome sport.
Anyways, I am thankful to Hashnode to let me share my thoughts and I hope that all the articles and thoughts on #ChooseToChallenge inspires more people and bring a significant change in society!