Jun 22, 2024

At the International Conference on Gender Research Dr Oldfield presented and empirical study on women in tech and the challenges they face. In the media we are sometimes told that women have increase equality in the workplace and suffer no detriment by having a family. Even that they have more opportunities now than even before. Whilst being true in some areas this is not true overall, and especially in tech. Women are still experiencing discrimination, inequality, job loss, lack of opportunity for careers and jobs as well as being held back in many circumstances. This is not where we should be in 2024. The conclusions of this paper in some ways take us back over 100 years and show that we have not made anywhere near the level of progress we should have made. From lack of childcare, inability to afford childcare, discrimination due to women having a family and ongoing issues with misunderstandings of women specific challenges the workplace can be very hostile to women. This must change. The IST (Institute of Science and Technology) is committed to making a difference and the Women in Tech group is continuing to work with a group of scholars and government to enable women in the workplace.