Equal participation through deconstructing stereotypes, says Commissioner

The urgent message we need to convey is that women’s equal participation in all areas of economic activity, including the technology sector, passes through the deconstruction of stereotypes, said Commissioner for Gender Equality Josie Christodoulou addressing at the event titled “Women in ICT” organised by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Technology and TechIsland.

She said that information technology is one of the most dynamic fields which is constantly evolving, significantly affecting our daily lives adding that the gender gap in technology is indeed narrowing but not nearly as fast as it should. The Commissioner said that tech companies have a long way to go to reach a gender-equal representation at all levels, including in leadership positions.

The current landscape demands better representation she said, adding that the need to eliminate these gaps becomes more imperative as women bring a broader perspective and apply innovative approaches in problem solving which can result in a gendered impact on the lives of both women and men.

She added that in 2025, the European Union expects the demand for STEM professionals to increase by 8%, which is much higher than the average need for professionals in other fields. Therefore, the participation of both women and men in the STEM fields is more than necessary.

The Commissioner said that the government has set gender equality high on its agenda and since March 2023 they have been working hard, creating more synergies and collaborations within the government but also with businesses, academic institutions, and civil society organisations in order to formulate targeted and implementable gendered policies.    

She referred to the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2024-2026 and to other actions and synergies which aim to apply gender mainstreaming in all government policies, horizontally, including research, innovation and technology. 

The holistic approach, she added, includes collection of data, targeting groups, deconstruction of stereotypes, incentives, raising awareness and promoting role models as well as reconciliation of family, personal and professional life.

(Source: CNA)