The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industries are still mostly a boys club with women in the minority.
Deloitte Global indicated that the percentage of women in major tech companies is still low, at 25%. What’s more, nearly 60% of women are expected to change jobs due to insufficient work-life balance. More than 20% are considering leaving their workplace.
“I’m leaving, because with such a privileged role comes responsibility – the responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not. I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple”
The pressure on working women contributes to high stress levels when we consider that they juggle workplace responsibilities with unpaid care work. On top of that, many women experience workplace gender bias, misogyny (even from other women!) and pay gap. The International Labour Organization also found that on a global average, women are paid about 20% less than their male counterparts.
Women in managerial or leadership positions can be a solution. Women leaders open opportunities for other women, closing the equity divide. Bringing more women with diverse intersectional identities is an investment in creative innovation for the different perspectives they bring to the table.
"If we aren’t intersectional, some of us, the most vulnerable, are going to fall through the cracks."
Did you know that 4 Malaysian women grace the Forbes 50 Over 50 2023 Asia List? They were acknowledged for their work in scientific innovation, literature, human rights advocacy, and the culinary arts:
- Professor Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, academician and microbiologist
- Karina Robles Bahrin, author
- Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, lawyer and human rights advocate
- Beh Gaik Lean, chef
“We rely on meritocracy, just hire the most qualified person.” Even the term “most qualified” is subjective and may perpetuate toxic hiring practices. We need to rethink our approaches and perception to make room for inclusivity.
Want to support women in tech? Let them lead.
Citations
- Chea, J. (2023, January 18). 4 Malaysian women listed on Forbes 50 over 50 2023 Asia list. Says. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://says.com/my/news/4-malaysian-women-grace-the-forbes-50-over-50-2023-asia-list
- Hupfer, S., Mazumder, S., Bucaille, A., & Crossan, G. (2021, November 30). Women in the tech industry: Gaining ground, but facing new headwinds. Deloitte Insights. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/technology/technology-media-and-telecom-predictions/2022/statistics-show-women-in-technology-are-facing-new-headwinds.html
- Pay transparency can address the gender pay gap. International Labour Organization. (2022, September 16). Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_856203/lang–en/index.htm#:~:text=On%20average%2C%20women%2C%20are%20paid,to%20discrimination%20based%20on%20gender.
- Stearns, K. (2022, December 25). Want to support women in tech? Let them lead . Fast Company. Retrieved from https://www.fastcompany.com/90828007/want-to-support-women-in-tech-let-them-lead
