#BreakTheBias to create a gender inclusive environment

By Damilola Idowu, Business Analyst

“…the more we can break the rules, the better off we’re going to be...” Indra Nooyi??

Gender Gap Progression and Representation?

A recent study showed that there are 21%* of women working in the tech industry and that 1 in 5 women are thinking of leaving their job, which will significantly decrease the current 21% represented in tech. Further research shows that there are 5%* of women in leadership position in the technology sector. This could be attributed to women being driven out of the tech industry due to burn out, lack of work life balance and gendered biases, which is quite concerning. However, 3% of girls say that a career in technology is their first choice.??

Whilst tech is a fantastic industry changing how we live our day to day to lives, it does not have proper representation of women. The goal therefore is to fix the culture and environment women work in through representation, inclusive recruitment, flexibility, mentorship, and retention.?

Inclusive recruitment void of unconscious bias

For proper representation, diversity is required from the hiring stage to the successive planning and retention.??

In Summer of 2021, CRUK adopted an inclusive hiring process which currently involves anonymous CV submission which has allowed for recruitment of candidates based on experience and strengths and reduce the unconscious bias that may come with the hiring process. The charity has seen a significant increase in inclusive recruitment since the start of the anonymous CV process.?

Flexibility?

With more women being primary caregivers, having the flexible option while working in tech is very essential. It enables individuals to find better ways around school runs, be there for important family moments and helps them live life on their own terms, while still being active contributors to the progressively growing industry.?

Mentoring?

Diversity works if it is harnessed, and mentorship provides a platform for this. Accessibility to mentoring programs and senior figure visibility also helps to harness successful gender diversity in tech. It creates a support system to help set up as many employees as possible for success. This is a plea for practical and robust mentorship culture across the industry.??

There is a mentorship culture here at CRUK, and aside from this, the Gender Equality Network has an annual mentoring event running throughout March. Be sure to reach out to the Gender Equality Network team if you would like to support them, or for more information on how the mentorship works and other information about the network.?

Retention

Retention is another factor to be considered and worked on to enable an inclusive future for the tech Industry and ensure early starters have role models, mentors, and sponsors when they start their career. There are so many resources out there to ensure the tech industry works for us all, and to ensure that the industry is gender inclusive from early-stage career to retirement.??

In summary, the aspiration is that by diversifying the industry this will afford more innovation, meaning that more cool things can be developed, as well as ensuring that there is more gender inclusivity across all career stages.??

To the women who break barriers in the industry, pushing past the bias and urging for a more intentional approach to ensure that we are all represented; today, on International Women’s Day we celebrate you.??

Imagine a gender equal world?

A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.?

A world that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive.?

A world where difference is valued and celebrated.?

Together we can forge women’s equality.?

Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.?

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Happy International Women's Day!

?We are hiring for more information go to ?Tech Jobs at Cancer Research

*source:?1. 2019 ONS Data??2. pwc.co.uk??

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