Call to end IT gender discrimination
WOMEN working in information technology (IT) jobs met in Cape Town recently to discuss challenges in the male-dominated industry allegedly halting their career advancement.
Kim Palmer, director of On The Ball College in Observatory, recalled how she had to dress more like a man when she began working at a company at the start of her career.
“I had to change the way I dressed. I had to look less feminine. IT has a masculine culture and is male-dominated,” said Palmer.
“It’s tough being a woman in IT. We are oppressed in this sector. We need to open doors for women so they can become independent. We need to talk about how to break the stigma attached to women.”
Genevieve Benjamin, a business development executive for a local IT company, said she experienced gender-based discrimination when she started looking for a job after graduation.
“In one interview the company told me they needed a man. They said I looked too neat,” said Benjamin. “I’ve even taken my picture off my LinkedIn profile, because if you look too feminine it can affect your chances of getting a job.”
Baratang Miya, founder and chief executive of non-profit company GirlHype, talked about how she was working to encourage young women aged 16 to 23 to enter IT. She said only 20% of IT professionals in South Africa were female.