In high-rise corporate offices, where innovation never sleeps and coffee is always brewing, something pretty cool is happening. Gone are the days when tech was just about coding marathons and sleepless nights. Now, we’re talking flexible hours, remote work, and—get this—a real push for diversity and inclusion. It’s not just talk; it’s happening, and it’s changing the game for women in tech.
Take it from Jaya Virwani, EY GDS’s Global Ethics and DE&I Leader. She’s seen the shift from those rigid, clock-in-clock-out days to an era where work-life balance isn’t just a buzzword; it’s part of the culture. Her advice to the newcomers? Set those boundaries, and don’t budge. Oh, and find yourself some solid mentors—people who’ve got your back and can guide you through the tech maze.
Anjali Sinha, India People Success Head at Publicis Sapient, adds another layer to the convo. She’s all about the blurred lines—not the song, mind you, but the way we now juggle work and personal life. It’s not the old 9-to-5 grind anymore. It’s about finding what fits your life, your schedule. And for women, especially those managing the lion’s share of caregiving, this flexibility is a game-changer.
Ivana Bartoletti, Chief Privacy and AI Governance Officer, Wipro, points out the elephant in the room: only 22% of AI pros are women. That’s not just a missed opportunity; it’s a problem for everyone. AI without women’s input? That’s like trying to clap with one hand. We’re missing out on half the world’s ideas, innovations, and perspectives.
“We cannot realize the full potential of AI if half of the world’s population does not have an equitable representation in its development. While girls perform as well as boys in science in most countries, only 22 per cent of AI workers globally are women. This is hugely problematic, for three reasons: Because girls are being limited in their access to fast growing careers and direct participation in shaping AI systems, because women are going to bear the brunt of the disruption caused by AI, and because without access to shaping it, AI will continue to code existing stereotypes and inequalities into decisions and predictions. Businesses must focus on nurturing role models and female leadership to ensure a more inclusive approach to AI. Second, they must embrace responsible AI and champion privacy, equality, and human rights in every piece of AI that is produced and deployed,” says Bartoletti.And then there’s Infosys, stepping up with its #SpotItToStopIt campaign for International Women’s Day 2024. They’re not just talking the talk; they’re walking the walk, with initiatives aimed at nurturing women’s careers in tech. Aruna C. Newton, Vice President, Head of Diversity and Inclusion, ESG Governance & Reporting at Infosys, is all about celebrating the women who are shaping the future of tech, with a whole suite of programs designed to lift them up.
But it’s not all corporate speak and initiatives. It’s about changing the culture from the inside out. Smriti Mathur, Senior Director, and Head of People at Pega India, and Sarada Vempati, Head of Enterprise Functions, Technology at Wells Fargo India & Philippines, are on the same page. They’re seeing the tech world evolve into a place where diversity isn’t just good ethics—it’s good business. It’s about creating spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work, share their experiences, and, yep, thrive.
And hey, let’s not forget the men.
Remus Lim, Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific and Japan at Cloudera, reminds us that inclusivity is everyone’s business. It’s about mentoring, listening, and creating paths for women to lead and succeed.
“Recently, Cloudera promoted several women leaders in the region, including positions such as country leaders for Singapore and Indonesia. Most importantly, we found that being open and listening to what our employees need in order to take the step forward has been crucial. By collecting feedback, we draw insights on how we can support them better, taking a leaf from how we help our customers do better with data,” he says.
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