WOMEN'S DAY 2023EMBRACING INCLUSIVITY WITH TECHNOLOGY ADVANCEMENTS

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It feels like 2023 just started a few days ago, doesn’t it? Well, time passes quickly and in the present, we have entered March. March is known to most of us as a month of colorfulness, spring, and all things good. It ebbs with a rhythm of hope and positivity, welcoming us with a very important day that needs to be celebrated rather every day- International Women’s Day. This year’s theme by UN Women reflects on a distinctive yet underrated issue which is – DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality. This theme is worth pondering because there are multiple aspects associated with it and if we dig deeper we would find that the role of technology in this digitalized, post-pandemic world is constantly changing and its need and access have become more essential than ever.

This theme has raised a very intriguing thought as to why it is important to address innovation concerning embracing equity. The digitalized ecosystem has no doubt opened a plethora of opportunities but at the same time due to lack of empowerment, it has posed social and economic inequalities regarding women’s rights and well-being. The conversations about this topic are much needed because digital spaces have become a source of gender-based violence which according to trends has been on the rise due to exclusion of women’s contributions to technological innovations. The core relevance of this theme lies in the underrepresentation of women and girls in digital and tech-related careers, with emphasis on how we as individuals work on ground levels to eradicate this digital gender divide to achieve an equitable and sustainable future for all.

While we understand this theme further, it is pertinent that we fully see this lens from both the positive and negative sides of the coin. India is paving its path towards great innovations and technologies and has competent women who have broken the so-called biases associated with women in science. According to research by the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), Gender diversity programs are introduced more than ever to tackle female talent shortages. The tech sector looks hopeful to be inclusive of utilizing women’s innovation in coming years with better gender parity.

The future looks hopeful but still, there are stigmas associated with women in innovation and technology. Even if many women are achieving milestones in this sector, they are sometimes not given the due recognition that they deserve. It’s similar to the Women’s Cricket Team. We all like to watch cricket matches but when it comes to women’s matches- the reach of the audience is much less. Statistics and various studies also indicate that Science, Technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a male-dominated career and gender-based discrimination is still an evident part of workplace culture. It has been noticed that due to gender disparity in STEM careers, only 20-22% of women take up engineering degrees. Studies have also revealed that female software engineers have only increased by 2% in 21 years. Even if women pursue STEM

degrees, they quit well-reputed jobs because of harassment and lack of inclusivity in their workplaces. The lack of women in this industry can also be attributed to the scarcity of female role models and mentors in top-level organizations, to which young girls can relate and aspire to reach greater heights. Gender pay gaps and delayed promotions are still a reality in various sectors, which pulls back women from continuing their jobs.

These limitations impact not only digital empowerment but also the transformative potential of technology as a whole. Women’s exclusion and discrimination in the digital sphere show a loss in productivity, diversity, and economic output in the tech sectors. The inclusion of women in digital spaces would ensure creativity which can lead to innovation and high-quality products. Therefore women’s skills and educational qualifications must be utilized fully for the greater economic development of the country.

The age-old societal norms cannot be separated as we decipher the nuances of the underrepresentation of women in the tech sector. Still, the ratio of girls taking up science is far less than men. The reason for this is deeply rooted in the mentality of society. A lot of stereotypes still exist which perpetuate are not suited for STEM fields and thus making them less likely to express their interest in these subjects. That is why past efforts to increase women’s representation have often focused on women’s supposed disinterest in STEM fields, rather than on the systems that exclude them. Another social factor that hinders young girls' career progression is the patriarchal mindset which renders women to be homemakers or choose ‘feminine’ courses so that they can give time to families and perform their caregiving duties. That is why the horizon of women’s careers heavily depends on the family system with which they are raised, even before they start working. Stereotypes don’t end at the family level but also in the workplaces where studies have shown that women are experiencing burnout and anxiety due to office politics and sometimes are not given due recognition for their potential and skills. Though all of this is now changing and the mindset of the families and the workplace culture is also becoming progressive with the coming times, especially post-pandemic the work-from-home and the hybrid concept has proved to be beneficial for many families.

Till now we have been talking about the situation of women in the tech sector but digitalization and technological advancements are dynamic and have an impact on how digital access is utilized among women. Access to digital platforms has a significant gender divide but this also depends on various socioeconomic factors. Marginalized groups face greater barriers to connectivity and do not have much awareness of digital literacy. Policymakers should take a step in improving digital infrastructure to bridge the gap in overcoming gendered access barriers.

Due to a lack of digital literacy, gender-based violence has been on the rise in recent times. The unsafe digital ecosystems may result in various kinds of online violence which affects the psychological well-being of women. These unsafe virtual spheres limit the ability of women to participate virtually and this may impact them to take benefit from genuine digital platforms. For example, many apps are created to track the safety of women while in public but due to a lack of

awareness and authenticity, many women don’t access them. Due to gender-based violence, social media platforms have also become the source of sexist hate, lack of information, and many more types of harm which negatively affect women’s expression in the online sphere. Women with intersectional identities like LGBTIQ+ or disabilities, marginalized communities, and elderly women are more prone to online hate and ethical framework systems are still not equipped properly to deal with the digital and human rights of women.

Therefore the need of the hour is Digital Literacy awareness programs and initiatives at a ground level like schools and colleges and even at top-level organizations. The education system must include the practical aspects of how to deal with digital tools and should work in ways that make women digitally independent, which comes from empowering their needs and innovations. Gender biases entrenched in school systems can only be eradicated if young girls identify women mentors in STEM fields so that they realize that they also have the potential within them to advance technology through their creativity. Digital learning not only transforms the way women perceive their interests in tech-related fields but also prepares them to deal with inauthentic digital spaces. Various courses should also be introduced that target the skills of women who are interested in tech careers and they should be provided with platforms to exhibit their talents. The use of ethical digital media should also be taught at an early age and should be even updated in other careers as well so that people are aware of their rights as well as responsibilities. Thus, a gender-responsive approach to innovation, technology, and digital education can increase the awareness of women and girls regarding their rights and civic engagement. These changes would not happen in a day but they would require conscious efforts from policymakers, government, human rights organizations, and most importantly any ordinary person who is part of the digital ecosystem.

Now the question that arises which is very important as we celebrate this Women’s Day is what we as individuals do to promote DigitAll. The answer is simple, just try to change positively how the digital world is perceived and utilized in your surroundings. Post-pandemic, it is evident that in some way or another other women are becoming technologically aware. You must have seen women, especially homemakers, these days are very familiar with using digital platforms for entertainment purposes. We can also make them aware of other digital spaces that benefit them in various other domains. So this Women’s Day, let’s try to educate the women around us. Let them know about that app that tracks their safety or maybe tell them about their digital rights. Digital literacy might seem to be a complex thing but it isn’t as complex as it is perceived to be. Technology has relative meanings to everyone but as individuals what we can try is to make it inclusive and make it accessible to all those who are participants in this system. Share the knowledge that you have with your mothers or your maids and make them aware of the new technological trends that can be beneficial for them. Don’t stereotype technology and its accessibility thinking that tech and the digital world are for men to handle because, unlike society, skill and potential are not gender biased.

Finally, remember that there is no force more powerful than a woman who is determined to rise.

REFERENCES

Anand, S. (2023, March 1). Plugging gender gaps could boost global GDP by $7 trillion: Moody’s | Mint. Mint. https://www.livemint.com/economy/plugging-gender-gaps-could boost-global-gdp-by-7-trillion-moodys-11677673981814.html

International Women’s Day 2023: “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” | UN Women – Headquarters. (2022, December 22). UN Women – Headquarters. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/announcement/2022/12/international-womens-day 2023-digitall-innovation-and-technology-for-gender-equality

Laker, B. (2022, February 3). Women Are Still Underrepresented In Tech Leadership: Here’s How To Change That. Forbes.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/benjaminlaker/2022/02/03/women-are-still underrepresented-in-tech-leadership-heres-how-to-change-that/?sh=44e77a246832 Mizar, S. P. (2022, January 26). Women in Indian tech: a journey of promise. IDG Connect. https://www.idgconnect.com/article/3647073/women-in-indian-tech-a-journey-of promise.html

Needle, D. (2022, December 14). Women in tech statistics: The latest research and trends. WhatIs.com. https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/feature/Women-in-tech-statistics-The latest-research-and-trends

Oi, R. (2022, January 31). Women in Tech: Pushing for inclusivity and diversity - TechHQ. TechHQ. https://techhq.com/2022/02/women-in-tech-pushing-for-inclusivity-and diversity/

Power on: How we can supercharge an equitable digital future | UN Women – Headquarters. (2023, February 24). UN Women – Headquarters. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news stories/explainer/2023/02/power-on-how-we-can-supercharge-an-equitable-digital-future

Written by: Sunidhi Puri (2nd year)

Reviewed by:-

Jaya Kumari (Content Team Coordinator| Editor-In-Chief)

Akshita Tanwar (Associate Editor)