The purpose of this article is to give you a basic understanding of how technology accessibility is essential to the filling of gender bias gaps, and what are the real challenges that need to be addressed.
In recent years, women have accepted technology when it is introduced to them. There are many women who claim that digital selling is a great advantage for them. Social media helps them a lot in different ways. In addition to the fact that it is an easy way for them to run their online platform, they face technological challenges to set up their platform. To setup everything up, they needed either online or personal assistance.
Despite this fact, Several studies show that gender differences are present in technology usage and participation. There is a gap. As an example, Amazon’s business shows that only 32% of Amazon sellers are women.
According to Facebook’s audience statistics from January 2023, 56.3 percent are male and 43.7 percent are female. There are numerous other data, which can demonstrate the true unbalanced situation of the digital divide world on the basis of gender.
There is a possibility that women’s access to the digital world is limited by the necessary resources and technology. Read this report to find out gap statistics https://webfoundation.org/2020/03/the-gender-gap-in-internet-access-using-a-women-centred-method/
What are the traditional gender biases in STEM fields?
- In STEM fields, women are perceived as less talented and intelligent than men
- Promoting careers in arts and humanities for girls as a tradition
- The belief that women do not need access to technology
Traditional gender bias believes that women are not suitable to fit into the STEM field. This gender bias originates from the false assumption that women aren’t as talented or intelligent as men when it comes to mathematics, science, engineering, and technology.
Similarly, education or nursing are considered nurturing roles, which are better suited to women. It is common for girls to be encouraged to pursue careers in the arts and humanities rather than in STEM fields, perpetuating this gender bias. Also, there is a traditional belief that women don’t need to access technology. If women do, it is not the right thing for her & her family.
What is the importance of women having access to technology?
- Changes in society and the economy can be brought about by technological access
- To increase access to technology, investments must be made in education, training, and supportive communities
- To close the gender gap, equal access to technology is essential
It is essential to accelerate and implement technology access for women correctly to bring social and economic change in many ways.
There is a need for the global tech community to invest more in education, get more training programs online, and build supportive communities to promote affordable technology access in small or remote areas.
This will empower women to break free from traditional gender biases and achieve their full potential.
A great deal depends on how technology reaches people, through what medium, for what purpose, and in what form! To close the gender gap, everyone must have access to technology equally, without discrimination.
What are the unique challenges, women may face in the Technology field?
- Lack of female role models and representation in technology
- Gender discrimination at work
- Difficulty in balancing family responsibilities and career goals
In our society, gender bias has always restricted women’s opportunities and prevented them from reaching their full potential. There has historically been a lack of female representation in many fields and professions, and even when women break through, they face a variety of unique challenges that men do not.
For example, there aren’t enough female role models in technology, there is gender discrimination at work, and raising a family is very challenging for women. It is difficult for them to take risks and pursue their ambitions without support.
It is possible that they are overlooked for promotions, criticized for taking on leadership roles, or excluded from critical conversations.
A lack of visibility and representation of women in technology sectors is also a significant problem. As a result, young girls and women may find it difficult to imagine themselves in tech careers.
Using technology to overcome stereotypical beliefs
As an unfortunate stereotype, it is believed in many cultures that the tech sector isn’t a good fit for women. It is not possible for them to understand technology because they do not have enough brain power.
Compared to females, males have a more specialized brain in the STEM area. Stereotypes like this are not based on reality. STEM subjects are equally accessible to women and men. In fact, many women have excelled in these fields. There is no reason to believe that women cannot be successful in the tech sector.
But such beliefs are rooted in people’s minds as false beliefs, which can be removed only with the availability of technology for women. The simple fact is that if you do not give a chance, then how will you discover talent?
Many data point out that these are some of the main obstacles women face on their way to success.
How technology can help break down gender biases?
So, the phrase “Increasing women’s access to technology can help break down gender biases“ illustrates the crucial role that technology can play in breaking down social biases around gender. However, those who wish to reverse societal discrimination must understand the problems first. Read Why do gender-biased mentalities perpetrate acid attacks on women at https://journals-times.com/2022/03/07/why-are-acid-attacks-on-women-perpetrated-by-gender-biased-mentality/
Like, tech companies can implement a mentorship program specifically for women if they have identified a lack of mentorship opportunities for women. Women can benefit from this type of support and guidance in advancing in their careers and overcoming the unique challenges they face.
By understanding the issues first, companies can come up with more effective and sustainable solutions to reverse societal bias in the tech industry. In the long run, this can lead to a more diverse and inclusive workforce as well as a more equitable industry.
Effective Solutions to Reverse Societal Bias in Technology
- Mentorship programs for women in technology
- Sustainable solutions through understanding the issues
- Increased diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry
However, we cannot ignore that the role of technology in assisting women to overcome traditional barriers has increased in recent years.
Technology provides equal access to educational opportunities through e-learning platforms, online courses, and digital resources, enabling women to achieve their dreams and break free from the traditional roles they have been forced to play.
Furthermore, technology allows women to build networks, access mentors, and gain exposure to various perspectives, cultures, and experiences, thus providing them with a broader horizon and eliminating gender stereotypes.
For example, She Innovates women’s workshops, mentorship programs, and global events that enhance their skills and confidence in STEM fields.
Nowadays, many organizations are striving to fill the technology gap that exists in the generation. As another example, Ada Developers Academy envisions a world where Black and brown women & gender-inclusive people achieve economic power through careers in technology.
In addition to teaching women and gender-inclusive adults software development skills, Ada Developers Academy advocates for diverse and equitable workplaces. Their primary focus is serving and meeting the needs of Black, Latino, Indigenous, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA+, and low-income communities.
Besides the tuition-free training program, Academy offers an internship and individualized support (mentoring, tutoring, mental health support network, and affinity groups).
What are the challenges in Bridging the Gender Gap in Technology?
It’s not that technical communities and global organizations aren’t working to close gender gaps. But how successful will these efforts be in bridging the gender gap? Are they enough? Do challenges need to be identified according to geographical regions, phone types, access levels, economic conditions, and cultural challenges? To accomplish this, it’s crucial to grab the actual data and work on it.
If you look at different statistics about women in technology or the gender gap in technology, you will understand that many challenges prevent the gender gap from being closed.
For example, you can check the “GSMA – The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2022.”
According to this report, there is still a 7% gender gap in the ownership of mobile phones between women and men.
· The number of women owning mobile phones is 131M fewer than that of men.
· Smartphone ownership by women is 18% lower than that of men
· Women face three main barriers to owning mobile phones:
1. Affordability
2. Digital skills and literacy
3. Security and safety
Contrary to this, there is another report. You can check Statista’s report on “Learning videos: global audience reach 2022, by age and gender published by L. Ceci, on Feb 6, 2023″.
According to this, “A survey during the third quarter of 2022 found that approximately 48 percent of female internet users aged between 16 and 24 years viewed online learning videos like tutorials and how-to videos. Around 46.5 percent of male internet users in the same age group reported watching video content online for the purpose of learning.
Men aged between 45 and 64 appeared to be more likely than women in the same age group to keep watching online learning videos.”
So here, there is a slight difference in the percentage, but it is more a matter of positiveness that women are rapidly moving towards productive education through technology.
So, data help us identify the main problems, plan accordingly, and boost our positive efforts. The whole thing is driven by technology.
What benefits will women bring to technology?
It would be beneficial for women to enter the field of technology for a number of reasons.
- First and foremost, it will enhance diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. By bringing new perspectives, experiences, and ideas to the table, it will be possible to develop more innovative products and solutions.
- The second benefit is that it will reduce gender bias and discrimination within the technology industry. As more women enter the technology and rise to leadership positions, perceptions about technology being dominated by men can break down. Uneven pay and discrimination could be addressed due to a change in culture.
- As a third benefit, it can help address the tech industry’s talent shortage. With more women in the tech sector, the talent gap can be filled, and the industry can grow with a larger talent pool.
- Last but not least, having more women in tech can serve as role models for young girls and women interested in pursuing careers in technology. A positive cycle of change is created when young girls and women see successful women in tech and are motivated to pursue careers in those fields themselves.
In conclusion, increasing the representation of women in technology is not just a matter of equality, but it also has important practical benefits. However, it is essential to recognize the challenges of breaking down gender biases in the technology sector and address them head-on.
Tech companies need to create a more inclusive and diverse culture, provide education and training opportunities for women, and increase their visibility and representation.
Ultimately, investing in women’s empowerment and breaking through traditional gender barriers is essential for a more equitable and just society. Through continued efforts and collaboration, we can create a future where women are fully represented and thriving in the technology sector.
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