Workshop on gender equality
Moderated by: Dr. Clem Herman (The Open
University, UK)
Speakers: Dr. Clem Herman, Ana Gonzales Ramos
(Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3), Spain)
and Vladimir Lelicanin (SAE Institute Belgrade,
Serbia)
Issue: Neither the education nor the ICT sector
seem sufficiently prepared adequately to recruit,
retain and promote women into ICT jobs, since
gender inequalities are still present.
for women (e.g. introduce role models, adapt class
schedules to mothers, etc.) More training is needed
to telecentres staff on the existence of « subconscious
gender bias» (the preconceived ideas we share
and through which we tend to classify others).
•
We need to also rethink the access barriers
to enter ICT trainings or professions. These are often
very high and this prevents women who come from
other fields to enter the profession at a later stage.
Conclusions and recommendations:
•
Already successful inclusion strategies
for women in ICT careers range from introducing
role models and mentors, to creating code
clubs and campaigns dedicated to girls and
IT. Many communities have been formed, to
mention some like Women in Tech or Girl Geeks.
•
Recent research shows that parents are the
biggest influencers of career decision making of their
children, so involving them in projects is important.
•
More collaboration is needed with schools
and formal education, as these are the initial
places where children can learn about ICT careers.
•
It is important to raise awareness on the
difference between the skills needed for ICT users
and skills for ICT professionals. Women are advancing
well in the first set of skills, but are lagging behind
in the second. We need to promote the fact that
ICT professionals are needed in most sectors of the
economy, and are not exclusive to the ICT sector.
•
A checklist or guideline may be created on
what to have in mind when organizing ICT trainings
•
In order to make these careers more
attractive to women, we can stress their
advantages, such as the flexibility they offer
in terms of work organization but also the
fact that these careers are creating enormous
value for society, are innovative and creative.
•
We need to promote success stories of
women who made it in IT, for example, former
training participants who set up their own business
or who have developed a career in the ICT field.
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