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Australian Computer Society
 
 

Increasing the representation of women in the tech sector

“If technology is meant to be for everyone, why is only half the population designing it?” – Luli Adeyemo – TechDiversity CEO

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ACS / Social Impact / Gender Parity

Gender disparity is still a reality across the world, and the technology sector is no exception.

 

Women are underrepresented in the tech workforce, especially in senior roles.

 

While 50% of tech users are women, the percentage of women contributing to the development of tech is far less. Creating a more equal and inclusive industry will minimise the skilled talent shortage, meet social responsibilities and realise more innovative ideas from a wider pool of brilliant minds.

 
 
 
 
 

How ACS is bringing about gender parity

 
 

ACS Conversation Circles is an event series hosted by Jo Stewart-Rattray and Sabina Gruetzner, ACS Vice President of Communities and ACS Strategic Initiative Executive respectively. 

 

The nationwide series brings together women in tech to discuss the challenges and triumphs of their careers. Jo and Sabina are using the meetings as research, listening to women’s experiences before making recommendations to the ACS Management Committee. 

 

ACS also advises members and their respective companies on ways to help end gender disparity, including: 

 

  • Advocating for education support in classrooms to encourage girls to consider a career in technology
  • Ensuring all existing and future female employees receive equal pay and opportunities
  • Providing safe spaces for women to be heard and supported
  • Offering mentoring programs for women – from choosing a STEM career to being a tech CEO
  • Encouraging co-workers to call out disrespect towards women
  • Strengthening HR departments to handle sexism complaints properly
  • Creating new recruiting cultures that are unbiased and equitable

 

ACS TechDiversity partnership

 

ACS has also partnered with TechDiversity – a social enterprise that aims to diversify workforces to be more representative of society. This is particularly important for gender parity in the tech sector, where the tech usage versus tech design gender gap is considerable. 

 

The ACS TechDiversity partnership has been created to help ACS members introduce greater diversity in their companies and organisations.

 

TechDiversity Academy

 

The TechDiversity team will introduce the TechDiversity Academy and explain course outcomes for ACS members.

 

Diversity modules

 

TechDiversity facilitators will deliver three diversity modules to equip ACS members with the strategies to implement diversity practices.  

 

15% course discount

 

ACS members receive an exclusive 15% discount on all TechDiversity courses.

 

TechDiversity offers three platforms to help people create organisational change through education, implementation and acknowledgement.

 
 
 

Increasing diversity in terms of age, gender and people living with disability in the technology workforce would grow Australia’s economy by $3.1 billion every year, on average, over the next 20 years. 

 

(Source: ACS Australia’s Digital Pulse, 2022)

 

How you can take action

 

  • Increase your knowledge of gender disparity through ACS online content, tools and resources 
  • Take part in ACS events, masterclasses and webinars and engage with partners like TechDiversity
  • Become an advocate for gender parity within your workplace and develop an action plan for your organisation
  • Work with ACS to develop new and better ways to make a difference
  • Get involved with International Women’s Day and other gender equality initiatives and celebrations
  • Connect with those leading the charge toward equality, including:
 
 
 
 

ACS Social Impact

 

We are building a better tech future… and you can join us!