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The annual Mobile World Congress (MWC) is returning to Barcelona on 25th February. Anyone who's anyone in the mobile technology industry will be there sharing their thoughts on the evolution of mobile technology. But where are all the women?
Less than one in five UK tech positions (17% to be exact) are held by women, which is on the lower end of the spectrum for global figures. You'd think that an internationally respected event like MWC would be keen to represent the industry in the best possible light, yet their lineup of speakers has failed to match even the poor gender ratios of the UK tech industry.
At the time of writing this article, only 2 of the 24 Keynote Speakers at MWC 2013 were female (8%) and only 36 of the 250 female Conference Speakers (14%) were female. These stats show that the percentage of female speakers (14%) is so low that it even falls, rather embarrassingly, below the rock-bottom UK average of women working in technology (17%). This percentage is shocking. They have a duty, as the leading event in the mobile technology world's calendar, to address the gender issue in tech and are in a position to set a positive example. MWC seems to be shouting "it's okay to alienate women, we're doing it!" whereas they should be saying "it's not a man's game, look how many fantastic women there are in the industry".
Alongside the pitiful lack of female speakers, it shocks me that there isn't a single session to confront the topic of women in tech. How are women ever going to feel comfortable if the biggest annual congregation of mobile technology industry leaders turn their back on an opportunity to welcome them into the industry?
Here at Lady Geek we've been shaking things up, challenging preconceptions and breaking free from industry shackles with our Little Miss Geek Campaign. Little Miss Geek inspires young women to become Tech Pioneers through schools, coding clubs for girls and inspirational role models.
MWC has the calibre, presence and following to build momentum and keep the ball rolling. Last year the event attracted over 3,500 CEOs from all over the world - the people who are best placed to shift attitudes. Where else (apart from possibly CES) do we see this many figureheads congregating in one location? These opportunities should not be slipping through our fingers.
The conference also sees over 3,000 journalists from over 1,500 media outlets, representing 92 countries. Word about what happens spreads, and spreads fast. It would only take MWC shining the spotlight on gender inequality for one afternoon at a conference like this to kick-start building some serious momentum.
At the moment it feels like we're forever going to be stuck watching all-male panels, only hearing one side of the story. Perhaps the only way to prevent this, if MWC won't do anything, is to go straight to the panelists themselves. An article by a journalist called Rebecca Rosen urges men to refuse to appear on any panels where there are no female representatives, ensuring that without female panelists there can't be an event. It's strategies like this that are, unfortunately, the only way to make a difference. It's an attitude that us Lady Geeks will actively promote amongst our following - don't underestimate the power of these tactics.
It's time for the major conferences to start listening. Outdated, sexist marketing tools - such as CES's booth babes - have been heavily scrutinised this year, and as a result it would be marketing suicide to have them again next year.
It would take just two simple steps to drastically change the tech landscape at MWC. First, even out the ratio of speakers and second, set aside a session to address this increasingly worrying issue.
Help us ensure women are part of the next technological revolution.
Follow Belinda Parmar on Twitter: www.twitter.com/belindaparmar
The industry doesn't pick it's speakers at an event based on their sexual genes, it picks them based on their knowledge and skill sets. If you have what it takes, then prove it, don't rely on the industry to give you a chance because there is only 17% female populating the technical authors online. You have ot fight for your place.
try being male, and you'll realise it is even more difficult! Imagine being an individual male trying to make a name for yourself in an industry that is made up of 85% male dominated market. It's near-on impossible to stand out, atleast a woman stands out just because of their gene make-up.
If you expect the industry to "make it right" then you are just pure lazy and don't deserve the opportunity.
However, I am aware that within the same university other departments have a much wider gender gap - economics is 60:40 male to female, for example. This makes me wonder : since men and women have had equal education for a number of years now (I'm estimating 20-30 years, since there was a huge amount of sexism and gender bias in my mother's workplace), do differences in gender ratios really still reflect the opinion that "girls can't do science", or are they now just a consequence of free choice?
Perhaps they are in the same place as all the female Formula One drivers. It couldn't just be that most women do not have the same interest in technology (or racing cars), as their mental make-up is dfferent, could it?
I'm looking for the article that enquires as to why so few men are active in flower arranging, child-minding, or reading magazines like "Hello" full of celebrity gossip. But you know what? There aren't any such articles, because most guys couldn't give two hoots. Seems that some of the fairer sex has their share of the technology with all those (micro)chips on their shoulders.
Good women just get on and do - and are usually very successful as a result (and we guys are very happy to work for them). Respect. And those who are less able - well a percentage play the 'victim' card, demanding that opportunity be 'gifted' to them. And that is an insult to the able, hard-working women who are a credit to their sex.