By Melody Lopez

NEW DELHI: Every year on 8th March, International Women’s Day is observed and even celebrated across verticals. Every year a theme is set, and this year’s theme is DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality. 

In an era when technology is dominating every field, one of the factors that are lacking in balance is the participation of women in these fields. The world forums are introducing policies that can be followed to bridge the gender gap in various sectors. The emphasis on breaking the glass ceiling is on involving women in male-dominated industries like technology.

According to the UN Women's Gender Snapshot 2022 report, over the past 10 years, the absence of women from the digital world has reduced the GDP of low- and middle-income countries by $1 trillion and it will increase to $1.5 trillion by 2025 if no change is initiated. A survey says women make up only 22% of the AI workforce globally. Another data says that in 2022, the number of women-led SMEs witnessed a 75% increase in their existence and MSMEs recorded a 24% higher participation than other industries. Women need to be seen more as entrepreneurs, C-suit leaders and senior management positions.

 It is the utilization of digital initiatives that will help women from all walks of life to enter the professional world.

The DigitALL theme would not only help women enter the workforce prepared with the right skill set, but it will also help them to plan and strategize what is required for them to follow their passion. Bias against women is proving to be a challenge when it comes to helping them break the glass ceiling. One such bias is how many women in their early stages of education are discouraged to pursue STEM education. While some data showcases the participation numbers increasing, the number of women in important roles is less. Pay parity, lack of work-life balance for working mothers, lack of confidence and a narrow-minded approach towards women can be challenged and changed by bringing technology into women’s lives. Women have made significant contributions to leadership in a variety of fields, including business, politics, education, and non-profit organizations.

They have demonstrated their ability to lead with intelligence, compassion, and determination, and have made significant progress in breaking down barriers and increasing the representation of women in leadership roles. Despite the progress that has been made, there is still work to be done to ensure that women have equal opportunities to succeed and advance in leadership roles. It is important to continue to support and empower women in their pursuit of leadership positions and to create a more inclusive and diverse leadership landscape, that is why Crayon has relaunched one of the most loved initiatives at Crayon, Aspire to Inspire. This is an internal leadership program to help women achieve vertical and horizontal growth in their careers. This is one such example. Organisations across the world have policies, programs, and incentives in place to encourage active participation of women in workplace. Such initiatives will nurture the future leaders and help bridge the gender gap at workplaces. We are after all divided by geographies but united by technology.

(The Author is Director & Chief of Staff, Crayon Software Experts India. Views expressed are author’s own)