Women in IT
Why should someone care if there are less women in IT? Why should I care?
Fortunately and unfortunately, I was questioned by a man (in a good way) something like this. I said it is still fortunate because I was challenged to think. Unfortunate because I didn’t know what to answer. That surprised me really. Looking back in college I was told by my professor that I was a feminist. I didn’t believe her because I can’t just feel that I am. Maybe now that is one reason why I act like so. Then, I asked also another woman in IT why she’s doing what she is currently doing (she is an active member of Ubuntu-women) and that hardened some of my beliefs and answered some of my questions. I wouldn’t tackle much about her answer but basically one point on my end is to feel comfortable working in your flock. Men and women are still different the way they think and act and being on your own group sometimes brings out your true self. I do not like the idea of doing this because I just want to show men that as women I can also do what they can because we have our own talents and weaknesses. These things and our childhood experiences are ingredients that tells us what path we will take later on. I want women and other minorities to know that there is another option in choosing a work, not just the usual stuff like nursing, management, tourism, etc. This is millennium anyway, we are advancing in technology. Back in my highschool years, there was no option like that. I should thank my brother for showing this path because I am loving it! In my country, I think this is not only a concern about women, basically it is a concern for everyone, men, women, young and old but that is another issue. Some other “convincing” reasons will be tackled in a series of articles in oreilly.com written by Tatiana Apandi. There is already one that is out. Check it and see more.
3 Comments
ner on October 25th, 2007
Perhaps women in IT isn’t a big deal here in the Philippines, that’s why it never occurred to me that I’m working in a man’s world. 
primerg on December 13th, 2007
It is not. I never felt it until I joined some women mailing lists. It’s tough in other countries and thankfully I belong here 
Tuxero on October 14th, 2007
I live in Argentine, and if you go to the IT universities, you’ll find that the women/men ratio is about 1/10.
I don’t know why this is. But it would be cooler if more women get involved in the IT field.
Cheers!