It is the world, but bigger and more accessible. It is a vision of the internet’s future — a single, shared, immersive, persistent, 3D virtual space where humans experience life in ways they could not in the physical world.
Essentially an interoperable online space, the metaverse merges physical and digital reality, giving people across the globe a space to shop, socialise, trade and interact with one another. All you need is an internet connection.
And with the integration of metaverse technology such as AR, VR, 3D displays, haptics and more, the ultimate goal of creating a seamless, immersive experience that provides new ways to connect and collaborate seems almost within reach.
Coming from a career in Business Analytics and Strategy Planning, the metaverse and its implications were something almost dreamlike for me, especially its ability to foster empowerment and inclusivity in the community. Of course, this does not always guarantee equal opportunities.
Addressing the “miss-ues”…
Some of the problems from reality seem to have tailed us into the metaverse — right at the foundational level. Imagine a space for limitless connection, unlimited opportunities to reach out and network, and still navigating people who think that tech “isn’t really for girls”.
It’s no secret that gender imbalance and inequities are something the tech sector has long faced criticism for, as evidenced by renowned tech giants like Apple and Meta maintaining a male-to-female employee ratio of 6:4. While there is some hope in the growing trend towards greater gender inclusivity in the tech sector, with 41 per cent of applicants to the field consisting of women between 2020 to 2021, more needs to be done.
Also Read: Bridging the gender gap and boosting women entrepreneurship with embedded finance
Beyond the process of actually joining the field, a major obstacle for women in tech is constantly having to deal with implicit gender bias within the workspace. A blunt example would be the GitHub coding case: When the gender of coders was undisclosed, computer code authored by women had an acceptance rate of 78.6 per cent on GitHub, which is four per cent higher than that of code written by men. However, when contributors’ gender is identifiable, the acceptance rate of code written by men tends to be higher.
In spite of women being more than capable, there remains a belief that technical roles are more suitable for men — which only further compounds the notion that women are not naturally inclined or competent in technology-related fields.
Instead, women are believed to be more sensitive and empathetic rather than tech-savvy. Consequently, women have been underrepresented in technical positions, with a greater emphasis placed on non-technical roles such as project management or user experience.
…and dodging them
The resultant domino effect does not bode well for the future of women in IT. Bias also impedes our professional advancement, leaving us overlooked for promotions or experiencing unequal pay compared to our male counterparts.
With stereotypes keeping women firmly entrenched in specific roles, young girls entering the tech arena find themselves without any representation, making even envisioning a successful future in the field a challenge. But there are some ways to get around these roadblocks.
Playing your strengths and focusing on achieving your tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible — hard to argue about your inability to manage a task when the task is already done! As for arguments that women are more ‘emotional’, it always helps to have the relevant data and evidence ready to add weight to your arguments. Substantiating decisions, arguments, or opinions with factual information prevents them from being discredited as solely emotional or subjective.
In the workspace, know your allies, both male and female. These are the people who will provide unwavering support, empowerment, and encouragement to strive for excellence. Recognising and appreciating managers and male allies from previous workplaces can be particularly beneficial. And most importantly, communicating, voicing one’s aspirations and taking the initiative to create opportunities is crucial.
It’s important to challenge gender stereotypes and recognise the individual potential in all areas of tech in order to create a more inclusive workforce that will leverage everyone’s talents, regardless of gender. By enhancing the visibility and acknowledgement of accomplished female tech leaders, we can foster a more inclusive and equitable industry that benefits everyone — and we have to start at the roots.
Also Read: Women in tech have leaned in enough. This is what we should do instead
In Malaysia and across Asia, students’ career choices are often limited by cultural influence, parental expectations, and a lack of awareness about alternative paths. The cultural emphasis on prestigious professions in fields like medicine, law, business, and engineering reinforces this narrow focus. To address this, two strategies can be implemented: promoting STEM education and fostering industry-academia collaboration.
Why IT matters, and why it matters
Enhancing STEM education from an early stage introduces students to technology-related fields and cultivates their interests and skills. Curriculum enhancements and engaging teaching methodologies can achieve this goal. Close collaboration between the tech industry and educational institutions is equally crucial.
Internships, apprenticeships, and industry-led training programs provide real-world tech experiences and inspire students, including women, to pursue tech careers. Industry professionals serve as mentors, guiding students in career exploration.
More than overcoming traditional career limitations, we need to implement these strategies to broaden perspectives and empower and guide students with the necessary skills to explore diverse tech career paths. The metaverse is a mine of untapped potential, and we have both the talent and the drive to unleash that same potential, regardless of gender. It is time we utilise it.
—
Editor’s note: e27 aims to foster thought leadership by publishing views from the community. Share your opinion by submitting an article, video, podcast, or infographic
Join our e27 Telegram group, FB community, or like the e27 Facebook page
Image credit: Canva Pro
The post Breaking gender barriers in the metaverse: Women pioneering emerging tech appeared first on e27.