Women in Tech: Access to role models the key

On the occasion of Women’s Day, ABB Ltd’s Apala Ray, Global Cybersecurity Manager, Industrial Automation along with ABB India Development Center’s Padmini N, Operations Manager, Industrial Automation–Lifecycle Services and Latha C, R & D Manager, Industrial Automation Division, talk about women in technology.

Is there a particular reason why there are so few women in technology? What steps can be taken to have more women in the field?
Apala: A key aspect for women in technology is access to role models in the areas of STEM, be it in the family, schools, leading figures, celebrities with whom the youth can associate. They should be able to relate with the role models that they are no less than anyone, being women. We need to address this problem from the root itself. If we tend to address this problem at the later stage, the basic perception will already be set. Therefore, it has to be initiated at a younger age and it can start from the family. Parents, relatives should encourage their kids and should not instill any limiting beliefs to their kids because they are from a specific gender.
Padmini: Where we are required to focus to ensure more women enter this field is the environment of technology and science for girls, especially during their academics. Organisations, schools, and people in a place of influence in their environment are responsible to open them to the possibilities that lie in the field of technology, and put efforts into getting rid of the gender stereotype that exists currently. On a corporate level, companies should identify the potential female candidates for technology leadership and groom them for future roles. At ABB, we have women who have extended across the value chain from Engineering to commissioning.
Latha: Women need a better support system in recognition of the various hats they are expected to wear. A critical factor here should be the measure for success which needs to be outcome oriented and not heavily reliant on processes.

Are there any important points to note for women entering the tech sector?
Apala: With new age technologies ripening and the proliferation of open education platforms, the younger generation today has an opportunity to learn theory with a practical aspect. In line with this, it is the responsibility of parents, relatives, educators, and peers to encourage and drive curiosity among this generation to open their minds and not limit any beliefs or aspirations irrespective of gender.
Padmini: Opportunities are really huge in the tech sector. It is all a matter of seeking opportunities and conveying one’s potential to assure that one is not held back by their gender.
Latha: Technology disruption will be continuous and evolving, hence the opportunities will keep on multiplying. I would suggest to think long term career planning and market yourself better.

According to one survey, women getting a computer science degree in the US peaked in the 1980s and has been declining since then. In contrast, India currently has the largest percentage of STEM passing out degree holders in the world. What can the US learn from India in this regard?
Apala: India has a history of women in science and mathematics and India being a large country, the disparity of women in STEM field from urban or rural areas is also high. The girls from well-to-do or urban families are privileged to have quality education compared to the girls from rural areas. The gender disparity is reduced in education systems and the parents from well-to-do families are providing equal opportunities for their children. The organizations are also considering gender diversity as one of the important aspects in their agenda and women are able to utilize those opportunities. As the scope and opportunities increase, there is a general knack or tendency to study in STEM. The solution to have more number of women in STEM field can be multi-fold–one from the societal level which requires larger timeframe to change the mindset and the other can be from the policy and institutional level which has already started.
Padmini: People who are strong in STEM streams are typically able to adapt well to the changing technology landscape. I believe US needs to put more focus on STEM streams rather than restricting themselves to the computer stream alone.
Latha: One major factor that favors STEM for women in India is that students get exposed to more advanced foundation in mathematics and science as compared to other parts of the world. So naturally Indians find it easier to study STEM at a later stage. This advantage needs to be compounded with more education on the career options. Indian parents still look for courses which have maximum employability and STEM is an area which can match that expectation. In my opinion, the US needs to nurture the talent from school itself to get more people interested in STEM.