BLACK WOMEN IN TECH
Addressing Systemic Barriers Limiting Black Women From Equitably Accessing and Participating in Resilient Tech Jobs
BWBN is one of the organizations selected to implement the Feminist Response and Recovery Program. This project “will support good jobs within feminist organisations from coast to coast to coast. These caring professionals will support women’s economic security and improve health and safety” The Honourable Maryam Monsef, P.C., M.P., Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development.
Statistics show 88% of all information technology patents (from 1980 to 2010) were invented by male-only teams, while female-only was at 2%. Considering the ample evidence that diversity fosters innovation, problem-solving skills, and creativity, this is a significant concern. Although the number of women in tech is significantly lower than that of their male counterparts, this gap widens when considering women of colour. An employment study conducted in 2016 showed Black women had lower rates of employment than other visible minorities. They were also underrepresented in the professional and technical fields. In computer and information systems, for example, 15% of women were Chinese, 11% were South Asian, and 5% were Blacks.
Despite national and global conversations about gender diversity in the tech sector, women are still grossly underrepresented, particularly in technical roles, and even less represented in their numbers among senior and leadership ranks. Black women were mostly health care assistants, cleaners, and cashiers. Research has shown that the intersection of race, class, gender creates bias within STEM fields and may produce an ideology of mediocrity. Also, women of colour are frequently judged to be inferior in both ability and intellect. These ingrained perceptions and beliefs may lead many to overlook or disregard the capabilities of Black women in the tech sector.
For black women to be competitive in the post-pandemic economy, they must possess the necessary digital skills and access to employers whose engagement philosophy is centered on inclusion, equity, and ensuring a workplace where diversity and inclusion is welcome. Consequently, systemic barriers and other issues that limit access to and participation in tech jobs for black women need to be addressed and tackled. The Feminist Response and Recovery project is therefore extremely timely and seeks to support a feminist response and recovery from the current impacts of COVID-19 and close the gap for underrepresented women Black women in tech through systemic change.
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered one of the worst job crises since the Great Depression. However, the pandemic has presented unique opportunities for tech workers through sustained innovation and resilience. With many people’s daily lives taking place online, and businesses increasingly relying on online ordering and service channels, tech workers are becoming a critical component of most industries. Technology will become even more important as the pandemic continues to reshape work. As Canada recovers from the pandemic, digitalization and technical jobs will be in high demand and employers will need to ensure compliance with the Fair and Equity Act and tap an ever increasing diverse workforce.
Project Summary
With many people’s daily lives taking place online, and businesses increasingly relying on online ordering and service channels, tech workers are becoming a critical component of most industries. Technology will become even more important as the pandemic continues to reshape work. As Canada recovers from the pandemic, digitilization and technical jobs will be in high demand. For black women to be competitive in the post-pandemic economy, they must possess the necessary digital skills. Consequently, systemic barriers and other issues that limit access to and participation in tech jobs for black women need to be addressed. As a response to the above, this Feminist Response and Recovery project seeks to support a feminist response and recovery from the current impacts of COVID-19 and close the gap for underrepresented women Black women in tech through systemic change.
Project Objectives
Discuss and understand barriers and root causes limiting the attraction, skilling, up-skilling, re-skilling, recruitment, retention, and promotion of Black girls and women in tech jobs within their current industry and other industries.
Collaboratively develop interventions to address these barriers and increase access to tech jobs and tech skilling for Black girls and women while increasing gendered and racial-inclusive tech labour.
Empower Black women and girls with information and resources needed to access or transition to tech jobs and tech skilling and improve on their livelihood and that that of their families
Funded By
Key Partners
