The Woman Thing – Introduction filled me with hope for a terrific series about (Not enough) Women in Tech, and what the deal is. When it was published back in May I didn’t really have time to comment it much, or read it over and think even more about it. But I was still longing for the coming parts!

To my disappointment it only one more part was published! “Don’t just beg men to give us a chance”. One more post, about another subject was posted after that and since then the blog has been inactive!
It’s still an intriguing subject, and I do want more! But let’s see what we’ve got thus far in the introduction and part I.

First off, she manage to sum it up quite quickly, which I as well think about this same particular thing. (which likely was the reason for why I longed for the rest of the series!)

However, I don’t have an issue with having more women in tech, and I generally agree that it would improve some products, companies, businesses and achievements. So I don’t think there shouldn’t be more women in tech, I’m just not sure there’s an actual problem with our current progress — given where the industry has come from and the fact that tech as an industry is better than most when it comes to gender neutrality and having a merit-based ecosystem. Additionally, I don’t understand why we’re all moaning about it so much and blaming men or the “institutions” instead of just getting down to business and doing more or performing better.

I think the most important point here is that we don’t want to be seen as just a sex. We want to be seen as a capable person doing a job that we’re good at. It shouldn’t be about if you’re male or female. The emphasis of being a Woman in tech sort of puts us down.
I’ve been at a few meet ups for women in just Tech, and they all love how relaxed it becomes when being around just other women, because suddenly you’re not the female programmer, you’re a programmer. See the difference there?
For the Part one we come across this section, which sort of ties together with what I just wrote.

On the first point, I don’t want someone to cut me some slack or “give me a chance” just because I’m a woman. I don’t want a hand-out, I don’t want to be patronized. I want to be recognized and respected because of what I’m capable of doing and achieving. If someone wants me on their team strictly because I’m a woman, then there’s probably something amiss in that intention. So don’t patronize me, please.

I do not want to be treated differently because I’m a girl, I rather not cut the team than cut the team because I’m a girl. Or female, or woman or whatever you prefer to call me. I want to be there because I’m awesome at the one thing I do, because you know you want me there for my skills, may them be social or technological, but not biological, please.

Other side she writes about, is the supply and demand. The supply is low, while the demand for women in tech is quite high. I think it is because of the fact that some of us will put in a different point of view for how to get the work done. Not admitting that there are difference might be a problem. But a diverse group is a good thing, but look at the actual qualities of people and what they bring to the table.

We need to push people to want to go for the things they are scared to do. It’s not only about tech really. But a lot of people, and especially women have it indoctrinated in them that you’re not allowed to take extra space. And in some businesses you have to. No matter if you’re a woman or not.

There are different parts of this that should be lifted more, and I’m still a bit sad that the rest of the posts in the series weren’t published (Coming up next (hopefully within this week): Part II: How “tech” compares to other industries… but no!). But maybe they will be finished and published now that I’ve written about it and called for it!

The Woman Thing - Introduction filled me with hope for a terrific series about (Not enough) Women in Tech, and what the deal is. When it was published back in May I didn't really have time to comment it much, or read it over and think even more about it. But I was still ...