Expanding Horizons. Breaking down the barriers in the gender diversity agenda

From Michelle Obama to Malala Yousafzai, to Diane Bryant, strong voices all over the world, young and old, have emerged in the past decade to call for more support of girls and women in technology. Throughout history, women have been behind some of the most admirable and life changing inventions the world has ever seen. The tech sector today is as diverse as it has ever been, but much still needs doing.

From North America, to Africa, to Europe, Middle East and APAC, bridges are being built, but it isn’t enough.

Yet, if we look specifically at APAC, the gender equality wave in the tech sector there seems to have positively impacted many enterprises, with some of the largest firms in the world headed by women and surrounded by several other women all part of balanced teams of males and females.

APAC has also proven in the past few years, that beyond positioning women in top ranking positions and giving them opportunities to make a positive difference, the region has also opened its doors towards western culture 

as as businesses across the globe delve into the market to expand their cloud and data centre footprints and digital ecosystems. And APAC is doing the same across the rest of the world, especially in Africa.

We truly live in an ‘expanding horizons’ era, where the horizon is the infinite of possibilities to girls and women – as well as men – and an endless pool of opportunities for businesses who bring their cultural barriers down and accept the modern economy.

In a time when division seems to rule politics, the tech sector is once more ahead with its positively changing and affirming positions towards gender equality and diversity and globalisation on the business front. After all, technology always wins.

As I look through this Data Economy Magazine edition, this is what the newsroom ensured was captured into these pages.

The team worked on bringing to you all these topics by focusing on the gender equality voice and showcasing the growing investment and expansion trend within the cloud and data centre markets between West and East and vice versa.

From Jay Adelson, the “Internet Boss”, to Hitachi’s Renée McKaskle, Data Economy has spoken to the minds behind the future.

We have also re-organised the magazine to explore more topics in detail, such as finance and investment events and a ‘location’ section to really delve in detail into specific business hot spots.

We also didn’t forget the more relaxed side of life and have now expanded our Life & Arts section to bring you the latest on gadgets, books, executive lifestyle and the already famous quizzes to really put to test how much you know about the market.

I hope you enjoy reading this magazine and let’s keep making the difference in this world, opening doors to all to accomplish their dreams.

Read the full edition here.