In March, Women’s Month brings a heightened focus on women empowerment, coinciding with International Women’s Day on March 8th. It serves as a month-long celebration to recognize and acknowledge women’s contributions, perspectives, and roles worldwide.
The very first BondFire Friday, was a wonderful genesis to explore the partnership with She Brilliance and Media Clubroom, marked a significant occasion with a remarkable panel discussion on women in tech and the importance of embracing equity. Moderated by She Brilliance’s co-founder Kim Underhill, the event featured insightful conversations and experiences shared by panelists Dawn Tay, Advocate’s Content Producer, and Osman Faiz, Chief Information and Operating Officer at AMTD Digital.
The panel discussion delved into the United Nations Women’s International Women’s Day theme for 2023, “Embrace Equity,” and its relevance to the tech industry. Osman, a seasoned professional in finance and tech, emphasized the accelerating digitization and digital transformation, fueled further by the COVID-19 pandemic. He highlighted the remarkable acceptance of digital platforms among millennials, fostering opportunities for innovation and gender equality.
Media’s role in shaping gender equality discourse
Dawn, the event’s producer, expressed her excitement about discussing female empowerment and shared her personal journey in the media industry. Her perspective shed light on the power of technology in raising awareness about gender issues, citing the impactful #MeToo movement as an example. She emphasized the importance of being seen and heard in the media as a catalyst for change and empowerment.
The panel discussion provided a platform for addressing the challenges faced by women in the tech industry. Dawn candidly shared her own experience, navigating gender bias and stereotypes as a female director in a predominantly male-dominated field. She stressed the need to challenge traditional notions of leadership and encourage more women to pursue careers in tech. The reality, however, is that empowering women in tech should ideally begin during their primary education, establishing a strong foundation in mathematics and science subjects.
Osman brought attention to cultural and socio-economic factors hindering gender equality, particularly in Asian economies. He emphasized the imperative for corporations to address biases and provide equal opportunities for women to thrive. He also highlighted the shortage of talent in specific tech domains, such as cybersecurity, emphasizing the tremendous potential for women to make significant contributions in these areas.
The panel also highlighted the crucial role of media in shaping public perception and conversations about gender equality. It was emphasized that news agencies should strive to present gender-neutral content, encouraging constructive dialogue and avoiding gender biases. By reshaping media narratives, it becomes possible to foster a more inclusive and balanced understanding of gender-related issues.
Throughout the discussion, quotes from the panelists and participants echoed the importance of proactive measures, mentoring, and equal opportunities to empower women and foster a more inclusive and diverse tech workforce. Dawn highlighted the significance of women taking charge of their own development,
Empowering women to empower others
The panelists acknowledged the vital role of mentorship and supportive environments in encouraging the next generation of female technologists. They recognized the importance of family support and cultural shifts in shaping young women’s career choices. They also underscored the need for men to support women’s empowerment, emphasizing balanced leadership and the creation of inclusive environments.
The panel also discussed the She Brilliance Movement, an initiative that encourages executive and professional women to step up and support one another. Through mentorship programs, learning and development masterclasses, and social impactful activities, the movement aims to advance women’s progress. The message that resonated was the call for women to take action for their own growth instead of waiting for change to happen. As one participant expressed, “Are you stepping up for yourself rather than sitting down and waiting for something to happen?”
Participants in the panel discussion, both men and women, stressed the importance of awareness and education as crucial factors in achieving gender equality. They called for open dialogue and inclusivity in all industries and highlighted the need for individuals to take ownership of their own growth. Osman articulated the necessity for awareness and education,
What are we doing for ourselves? A call for women’s initiative:
In a room filled with individuals discussing their children and personal lives, one participant raised a thought-provoking question about what the next generation is doing for themselves. While technology has provided equal opportunities, the speaker argued that female behavior hasn’t necessarily changed. The panel acknowledged the significance of women taking the lead in empowering themselves, as they believe that women can make a difference. One quote that encapsulates this sentiment is, “Because only through you, it’s going to make a difference.”
The panel discussion also explored the potential of economic empowerment to drive positive social change. They shared examples from different countries, showcasing the transformative impact of initiatives like microfinance. By providing financial support to women in rural areas, these programs enabled economic empowerment and brought about significant improvements in socio-economic conditions.
Media’s role in shaping gender equality discourse was another focal point of the discussion. The panelists emphasized the need for news agencies to present gender-neutral content, fostering constructive dialogue and avoiding gender biases. Reshaping media narratives was seen as a powerful means to foster a more inclusive and balanced understanding of gender-related issues.
Creating awareness and overcoming stereotypes
One of the recurring themes throughout the discussion was the importance of raising awareness among decision-makers and leaders, particularly men, who often feel threatened by gender equity initiatives. The panel stressed the need for education to dispel misconceptions and biases. One participant shared an example of how men, after engaging in conversations with their peers, realized the unintentional reinforcement of benevolent sexism. The article emphasizes the significance of creating safe spaces for men to share their perspectives without fear of judgment or stereotype.
Promoting inclusivity
The panelists acknowledged that achieving gender equity requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond gender alone. They highlighted the importance of including diverse perspectives, such as race, religion, and culture, in conversations about equality. The article showcases how the event aimed to provide a safe space for open dialogue, encouraging participants to express their views and contribute to a more inclusive environment.
Challenging cultural upbringing
The participants delved into the influence of cultural upbringing on gender biases. The audience took part in sharing their views on the topic, in our “take-the-mic” segment, and it was apparent that they recognized the need to address societal norms and expectations that perpetuate inequality. While acknowledging the complexity of the issue, the panel emphasized that change begins with individual introspection and continuous personal growth. The article emphasizes that shifting mindsets and dismantling biases are lifelong journeys that require ongoing effort.
Take-the-mic
The audience were invited to share and a female entrepreneur, who owned a snowboarding company took the mic and chimed in,
The need for balanced leadership and supportive environments
The panel acknowledged the importance of balanced leadership and the role of men in supporting women’s empowerment. While women often lead by social influence, men predominantly lead by ego. However, it was emphasized that men should not feel sorry for themselves, but rather focus on encouraging women to help themselves. The discussion highlighted Singapore’s fortunate position, with ample resources and government support for education and businesses. The key question raised was whether individuals are hungry enough to seize these opportunities.
In response, the audience shared encouragements and even offered their help, one participant shared,
Creating change through empowering women economically
The conversation expanded to encompass the impact of women’s economic empowerment on society. The panel shared examples from different countries, including the success of microfinance in Bangladesh. By providing financial support to women in rural areas, the program enabled economic empowerment, leading to significant positive changes in socio-economic conditions. This served as a reminder that women’s empowerment has far-reaching consequences and benefits for the entire community.
Embracing open-mindedness and learning
Throughout the discussion, the panel emphasized the importance of open-mindedness and embracing different perspectives. They encouraged attendees to challenge their existing beliefs and be receptive to new ideas. The article captures the spirit of the event, which aimed to foster a community where individuals could learn and grow together.
Looking ahead
This year’s United Nations Women’s International Women’s Day theme, “Embrace Equity”, provided a platform for open dialogue, awareness, and personal growth. The panel discussion emphasized the importance of education, inclusivity, and challenging biases. By fostering a friendly and inclusive environment, the event aimed to empower individuals to become catalysts for positive change in their communities. With future events on the horizon, the BondFire community is poised to continue these important conversations and contribute to the ongoing journey towards gender equality.
Actualizing the application of proposed actionable steps to foster a more inclusive and diverse tech ecosystem, for exactly how we could seed any of these concepts into our workplaces or communities, only time can tell if Singapore, or the world is ready for this change. As the industry evolves, it is crucial for individuals, corporations, and society as a whole to work together in creating an environment where women have equal opportunities to thrive.
In conclusion
In the pursuit of inclusivity, the panelists recognized the importance of addressing diverse perspectives beyond gender alone, including race, religion, and culture. They emphasized the significance of challenging societal norms and expectations that perpetuate inequality. Participants engaged in sharing their views during the event, highlighting the need for cultural change and introspection. Chrissie Choo expressed the importance of building a community that raises social consciousness, stating, “We all need to have that opportunity to be with like-minded people so that we can raise our social consciousness as a community… and build that good community amongst us.”
Throughout the discussion, the panelists encouraged open-mindedness and the willingness to explore new ideas. They stressed the importance of learning from different perspectives and challenging existing beliefs.
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