Celebrating women in digital
Today, Tuesday 8th March 2016 marks International Women’s Day, and to celebrate we want to present the issues of gender inequality within the digital workforce, and discuss how women who code may be the untapped resource of the future.
Will women thrive in the brave new world of digital?
Our workplace models have changed significantly in recent decades. Whereas 9-5, office-based, male-dominated roles are becoming a thing of the past, flexible work hours, great options for remote work, and increased trends toward activity-based working are the way of the future. And best of all, barriers to women functioning highly in the workplace are broken by women who code, with greater technological support enabling remote work and increased efficiencies in remote communication.
There are no barriers to women in digital marketing that can’t be eliminated by decreasing a woman’s need to sacrifice major milestones, including childbirth and child rearing milestones.
Calling all women who code #iwd2016
Unfortunately, there is a vicious cycle when it comes to women in digital. As long as there is a wide gender gap, it is uncomfortable for women to want to work in a male-dominated industry. And while it is a male-dominated industry, it continues to be less welcoming for women. There are measures in place to try to correct this. For example, at the 2014 G20 Summit, commitments were made to reduce the gender gap in the workforce by 25%. One proposed action is to encourage women to support each other in women’s networking and educational groups, such as that represented by Code Like a Girl.
How to attract women in digital
Women in the workforce might be the greatest untapped resource in Australia. At the moment, Australia is not set up well enough to deal with the various demands placed on women.
“These are the sorts of industries that many women go into but there are institutional barriers that prevent women from getting into the workplace,” Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia chief executive Pauline Vamos said. Within digital marketing, we should see the greatest flexibility and lowest barriers, as the digital age is about increasing access and prioritising mind over social status.
However, there are issues that lie outside of the digital circle of influence, says Vamos. “There are issues around the cost of childcare, workforce flexibility, unfavourable penalty rates and a lot of jobs are structured around eight hour days in the office.”
Celebrating #IWD2016
iFactory is an equal opportunities employer. We understand that women in digital are the key to a diverse and healthy workforce. iFactory has been succeeding through its people since 2004, and we continue to grow on the strength of our diverse workforce. Call iFactory to discuss how our superior team can help your business to succeed too.
