Reflection on International Women's Day

For this years (2024) International Women's day we hosted three events. In the spirit of continuous learning and sharing, we have compiled some key insights and highlights from the discussions and activities that unfolded during the events. These encapsulate the essence of our shared experiences and the valuable lessons we've gathered.

• Behavior Change for True Impact: True change for women in tech requires a fundamental shift in behaviors and mindsets, emphasizing the need for active engagement and commitment to diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Understanding Equality vs. Equity: Acknowledging that equality does not necessarily mean equity is crucial. Equity recognizes that women face unique barriers and challenges that require specific supports to achieve fairness.
• Avoiding the Zero-Sum Mindset: Women supporting each other should avoid the zero-sum game mentality, understanding that one person's success does not detract from another's opportunities.
• The Importance of Sponsorship: Sponsorship, where one actively supports and advocates for another's advancement, involves personal cost but is vital for fostering growth and opportunities for women.
• Cross-Gender Mentorship: Encouraging men to mentor women and women to mentor men can break down barriers and foster mutual understanding and respect.
• Active Listening and Bias Awareness: Being actively aware of one's biases and engaging in active listening are foundational steps in understanding and supporting the needs and aspirations of women in the workplace.
• Demanding Gender Equity: All individuals, regardless of gender, should demand and work towards achieving gender equity in their workplaces.
• Embracing the Discomfort of Allyship: Recognizing that effective allyship often involves stepping out of one's comfort zone, making mistakes, and learning from them is part of the journey.
• The Power of Inclusive Questions: Asking questions that invite diverse perspectives and experiences can reveal insights into how inclusive and supportive a workplace really is.
• Expanding Inclusion Efforts: Continuously seek to include more people in initiatives supporting women, always questioning "who is not here?" to ensure broad and impactful representation.
• Sharing Power and Privilege: True allyship involves sharing one's power and privilege with those who are marginalized or underrepresented.
• Allyship as an Active Practice: Understanding allyship as a verb highlights the ongoing, active nature of support, learning, and advocacy.
• Cross-Functional Mentorship: Encouraging mentorship across different functions and roles can broaden the network of allies and support for women.
• Personalized Support: Recognize that support should be tailored to the individual's needs and preferences, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
• Prioritizing Actions Over Formalities: Concrete actions and initiatives are more impactful than merely forming committees without follow-through.
• Acknowledging Intersectionality: Diversity encompasses multiple dimensions, including race, sexuality, disability, and more. Recognizing and addressing intersectional identities is key to inclusive practices.
• Inclusive Social and Team Building Events: Creating events that cater to and include women can foster a sense of belonging and community.
• Tracking and Improving EDI: Implementing surveys and metrics to track equity, diversity, and inclusion progress is essential for accountability and improvement.
• Involving Men in the Conversation: Inviting men into discussions about gender equity and inclusion can help bridge understanding gaps and foster allyship.
• Advocating for Women in Their Absence: Sponsorship involves advocating for women's advancement and recognition, even when they are not present to speak for themselves.
• Encouraging Salary Negotiation: Supporting and encouraging women to negotiate their salaries can help address pay equity issues.

In addition to the shared insights, we're excited to announce that we successfully recorded our third event, "Intersectional Allyship for Women by the Gateway to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion." This session was a deep dive into fostering supportive environments across different spectra of gender and diversity. We highly recommend taking the time to watch this enriching presentation.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible partners for their unwavering support: Blue Spark Energy, CopperLeaf Technologies, Edmonton Unlimited, Erin Davis Co, Gateway to Equity Diversity and Inclusion, Helcim, S4A IT Solutions, and YW Calgary. Their contributions were instrumental in the success of our events, and we are deeply thankful for their collaboration.

For those of you passionate about advancing your career in technology and eager to be part of a community that champions inclusivity, we invite you to explore membership opportunities with CITI. Join us in our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse tech industry.

Wishing you all a fantastic week ahead! Let’s continue to inspire and support one another on our journeys towards equity and inclusion.

Yours Truly,

Zac

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