{"id":345,"date":"2021-03-03T14:42:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-03T14:42:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/women-in-tech-awards-2021\/"},"modified":"2024-05-30T09:56:38","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T09:56:38","slug":"women-in-tech-awards-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.simplybusiness.co.uk\/about-us\/tech\/2021\/03\/women-in-tech-awards-2021","title":{"rendered":"Women in Tech Awards: Empowering champions of change in 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the 2021 FDM Everywoman in Technology Awards<\/a> ceremony approaches, it’s important to acknowledge why such initiatives matter and what they strive to achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why awards matter?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Awards are not only an exciting way of celebrating and honouring accomplishments, they are much more. Women in Tech Awards are empowering tools for championing change. Such initiatives are a strong wake-up call for a consensus for a preferred future, a movement that aims to increase gender parity and give the same opportunities to all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I used to regard awards only as an exciting way of celebrating accomplishments and narrowing the gender gap. Yet I missed seeing the whole picture. There are secondary aspects that might imply a legacy reservoir of contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"award-concepts\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Celebrating outstanding women and men<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Awards are not here to resolve a problem but instead to inspire broader inclusion and diversity efforts, acknowledge women and men\u2019s outstanding contributions, and celebrate their achievements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWhile it is well enough to leave footprints on the sands of time, it is even more important to make sure they point in a commendable direction.\u201d James Branch Cabell<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It is more important than ever to recognise that awards aren’t only about efforts to close the gender gap. One of the greatest benefits is to demystify the long-standing image and pattern that tech is an industry only for men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Validating commitment to amplify change<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Not to be neglected, awards indeed provide a platform for showcasing the achievements of individuals who have made a vital contribution to equality in the workplace and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taken altogether, it\u2019s about an out-of-the-box approach in addressing a problem through celebration and positiveness. Instead of highlighting a problem, it emphasises the solution by bringing together talents, insights, networks and inspiration to support the tech sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stimulating calls to action to support systemic change and narrowing the gender gap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I believe that there are authentic champions, true stories and real entities who do not seek their own promotion but the good of others. It is also about empowering women and men to do more to drive long-term protection, rights and opportunities. It\u2019s about making everyone more mindful to be more inclusive and supportive with women in the workplace, to support retention and business performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the everywoman Impact Report 2020<\/a>, it stresses the fact that having access to role models, networking, learning and celebrating amazing talents are effective tools for empowering women to believe and reach their full professional potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sb-tech-site-diversity\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Inspiring a legacy for future generations to join tech<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Awards events play a pivotal role in shaping a better future for inspiring the next generation, working culture and society\u2019s cultural norm as a whole. More than anything, they are a way of saying ‘yes’ to this movement of change towards a more equitable and inclusive society. Awards are like a ‘gift’ that celebrates the movement for equality and despite their name \u2013 they aren\u2019t a competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reconciling a shift in support for women in tech and aligning efforts of women and men<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Awards can encourage men to be great advocates or allies for women in tech, not only for gender imbalance but for changing attitudes too. Why? Because women may encounter various barriers and biases in the workplace due to the longstanding image and pattern that tech is an industry for men only.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why would you be a female ally? It\u2019s the right thing to do, to ensure equality and fairness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presenting and advancing role models, driving change and learning by example<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Celebration has a lasting positive impact on diversity and fosters a societal culture (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2018<\/a>). Moreover, it’s about what direction is taken towards initiatives for attracting female talent within tech, empowering them to overcome an ‘unentitled’ mindset, career development barriers and achieving true professional potential. The latter is essential in the long term; hence reviewing women fairly, nurturing equal chances, ensuring equal pay, equal learning and professional development, mentorship opportunities and so on, all build a preferred future for the next generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Educating by presenting insights about what challenges women face<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s no place for saying that women are better than men; it\u2019s about saying that there’s a difference in terms of what values women can bring. Equally, it’s about what barriers and biases women might encounter in the workplace due to the longstanding image and pattern that tech is an industry for men only. It is not<\/em> about creating an advantage for women; it\u2019s all about fairness, hearing and valuing those voices, treating them fairly and giving support as you would offer another male.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empowerment to challenge unconscious bias<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Efforts dedicated to incorporating gender equality are a common way of reducing bias, avoiding stigma and equally recognising that women are as valuable as men. Importantly, we\u2019ve seen in the last few years that male allies are increasing their efforts to support a meaningful change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sustainability<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Awards in tech are a change-maker that champion a preferred future, a future that promises equal opportunities not only for attracting women in tech but also for retaining them and ensuring long-term support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"sb-tech-site-events\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Championing change to transform behaviours and attitudes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Awards can sustain the movement for more women in tech by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n