Women in ICT Why are girls still not attracted to careers in ICT? Dr. M.B. Dissanayake Information manager of IEEE R10 WIE Student/GOLD Volunteer Group Assistant Secretary IEEE Sri Lanka Section. Dept of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.

What is ICT? Information Communications Technology ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form. The concepts, methods and applications involved in ICT are constantly evolving.

Why do women need ICTs? To get more information to carry out their productive, reproductive, and community roles. To find resources for themselves, their families, their work, and their communities. To have a voice in their lives, their community, their government, and the larger world that shares their issues and problems. To conduct their businesses, as a service of employment and to work in the ICT industry. “Women need ICTs to function in a digital world.” - The ICT Toolkit/World bank, Engendering

Gender division in ICT related Jobs “A Study on Changing Patterns of ICT Related Occupations in Labour Market of Sri Lanka”, Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission, January 2010

Questions arising from the Data Analysis 1.Why there is only 36% women in this area? 2.Why don’t they continue ICT at tertiary study level? 3.Why there are less number of women at higher designations?

Why there is only 36% women in this area? Perception on jobs in ICT and people involved in ICT. Perception Lack of support from Family and Society. Stereotype view “ICT sector is better suited for men”. Lack of role models.role models Lack of understanding about what ICT jobs entitle. Lack of understanding

Perception on People involved & Jobs in ICT Expectation Reality Hedy Lamarr

Role models in ICT? Ms. Kristen Peterson Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Inveneo Care giver: Nursing Ms. Jeri Ellsworth, Entrepreneur and self-taught computer chip designer Literature: Writing

Career in ICT Types of jobs: Information Communications Technology Data analysts, programmer, Web developers, Telecommunications/network specialist, User training / technical support, Database administrator, Security specialist, Information Systems manager Can provide the excitement, creativity and fun. Competitive career ~ technology is developing. Attractive salary. Opportunity to travel. Flexibility.

Why do female students drop-out from ICT subjects at tertiary education? Girls enjoy studying basic ICT and they are regular leisure users of ICT. Girls are actively discouraged from taking subjects in ICT. They assume ICT is a tough area = Mathematics. They, themselves lower their expectations and their capacity. They do prefer care giving.

Why there are less women at higher designation status? Family commitments. Late night work Less support and career development opportunities for working mothers. Less expectations. Less demanding.

Why its essential to invest on this issue? Jobs in ICT section is showing rapid increase. – Already there is a void in the market. – Less number of qualified people out there to cater the demand. Women comprise of nearly 55% of the world labor force. Women can strengthen countries workforce. Can help Sri Lanka to be come a knowledge hub of the Asia. – ICT is the greatest access to KNOWLEDGE. – Women labor force in ICT is an untouched resources.

Change the attitude of the society. Encourage females to take careers in ICT. – you too can. Don’t hold back and don’t be scared to click. ICT can be used to serve the world. Create the enthusiasm among girls. How to improve participation of women in ICT area?

Reference Statistics: 1.White paper women and ICT: why are girls still not attracted to ICT studies and careers? June 2009 A. Gras-velazquez, A. Joyce & M. Debry 2.“A Study on Changing Patterns of ICT Related Occupations in Labour Market of Sri Lanka”, Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission, January 2010 Figures and facts: women_leaders.html women_leaders.html /asset_publisher/OjA1/content/11688?redirect=%2Fweb%2Fguest%2Ft agcloudresults%3Fp_p_id%3Deuntagscloud_WAR_eunportlet%26p_p_l ifecycle%3D1%26p_p_state%3Dnor /asset_publisher/OjA1/content/11688?redirect=%2Fweb%2Fguest%2Ft agcloudresults%3Fp_p_id%3Deuntagscloud_WAR_eunportlet%26p_p_l ifecycle%3D1%26p_p_state%3Dnor

Thank You

Is ICT for Women?

Why do female students drop-out from ICT subjects at tertiary education? Girls enjoy studying basic ICT and they are regular leisure users of ICT, however this enthusiasm doesn’t continue They assume ICT is a tough area. Girls are actively discouraged from taking subjects in ICT. They lower their expectations and their capacity. They do prefer care giving. Its their nature.