Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 42 | Page 82

GET TO KNOW is female and I can see the GCC soon following. I don’t think anyone can question that the increase in female contribution in the tech sector is on the rise, and rightly so. Some of my proudest moments have included working with small business owners, helping them hone the skills that can truly support their entrepreneurial endeavours. Working on projects where biometrics made it possible for women to claim the funds released by government to them, and only them, was a truly memorable moment. I also participated in ‘Women in Payments’, an event in Canada focused on celebrating women’s achievements, innovation and leadership in the payments industry. What are some of the barriers to women entering the tech industry? What was your personal experience? Women are quietly ambitious and want to be given the chance to lead organisations and business units. Opportunity and recognition is empowering regardless of gender but I think that having more high-profile females in the tech sector would give women the confidence to really go out there and succeed. The late Zaha Hadid, for example, was a real inspiration to many of her generation in her field. As a woman in the industry, what has your experience been working in the sector? If you have worked in markets outside the GCC, how does your experience there compare with what you’ve experienced in other markets? I have worked in both North America and in the GCC and while it isn’t unusual to be in meetings with women, hardly any of them are in leading positions within central banks. That is why I find Sudan and Egypt as great examples of countries where women are holding c-level positions. In North America there are multiple initiatives where women are encouraging and inspiring other women and that is amazing to see. The GCC as a whole is also leading the way with gender parity at the top of governmental agendas across the region. What is the biggest challenge women in the sector face in GCC countries? How can these challenges be addressed? We are lucky in the GCC for the support system that allows us to focus on our work. However, as women with busy careers, we have to accept that it is not unusual to feel pulled in two different directions – family and work – and this can be testing. Both ‘jobs’ are as important as one another, and the biggest challenge is about finding a balance that allows us to succeed at both. I believe we need to support each other in our quest to work on ourselves and seek guidance from mentors who have already been on the same journey – those who will inspire us, support us and encourage us to do the same as we move forwards. n I think the key barrier is confidence. While women may have access to the same education as their male counterparts and should be beginning their career from the same starting point, it does not always seem to be the case. I think many feel less entitled or worthy and this is what must change. However, I do think we are making progress now and slowly but surely women are feeling more empowered both in and out of the workplace. One country that always impresses me when I visit, is Sudan – it is refreshing to see the number of women working there in leadership positions in government and financial institutions. With diversity increasing in the tech sector, what do you think is driving this? I agree that diversity in the tech sector in the GCC is increasing. I used to work in Canada where 67% of the financial sector workforce 82 INTELLIGENTCIO www.intelligentcio.com