Company highlights opportunities in technology, and need for more women leaders in the industry
Acknowledging the gender disparity in the field of technology, Microsoft addressed female undergraduate and postgraduate students at its highly anticipated Tech Femme event held at the University of the Philippines in Diliman to inspire more women to assume leadership roles.
Tech Femme, a forum held throughout Asia Pacific, brings together students and female IT leaders for a discussion with Microsoft on considering technology as a career path. Participants learn from industry leaders from Microsoft, mobile retail marketing company ZAP, and local IT company VFTS-Technologies about the countless opportunities available in the field of technology and why women need to play a more significant role in the industry.
With the theme #SheCanDoIt, TechFemme 2015 Philippines inspired college and MBA students to widen their perspective of the IT industry to break stereotypes and inject more diversity in what is often perceived to be a male-dominated field.
Based on diversity reports published by 11 of the world’s largest tech companies last year, on the average, women make up only 30% of professionals working in the technology sector. While the industry continues to grow and attract millions of talent around the world, the ratio of female to male IT professionals has remained consistent.
“More companies and organizations have taken steps to create a more diverse workplace that is welcoming for women. Despite the low number of women opting to become IT professionals, those in the field are thriving and are leading the industry,” said Karrie-Ilagan, General Manager of Microsoft Philippines. “There is great potential and there are many opportunities for women to succeed in the IT industry. The industry needs their insight and their talent in creating solutions. Microsoft believes that young women of today will be tomorrow’s leaders and we want them to be one of us.”
Globally, Microsoft has sparked early interest in technology among females by promoting the study of computer science in traditionally female schools and through programs like Girls Who Code. As one of the founding partners, Microsoft hosted over 1,000 girls in their Redmond office for a seven-week computer science education program. Locally, it is is involved in a wide range of programs like Tech Femme, aimed at promoting computer science and technology to attract and recruit women into the IT industry.