Every year, as International Women’s Day approaches, we think deeply about where we stand and where we want to go in terms of gender equality. We know that although women make up almost half of Australia’s workforce, they hold significantly fewer full-time jobs, only hold a small proportion of chair positions and – It’s easy to get distracted by statistics, such as the fact that industries such as industry face significant wage disparities. Communications technology (ICT) revealed in a recent Workplace Gender Equality Agency report. Despite these grim numbers, they do show progress.
But progress can be frustratingly slow. Instead of getting discouraged, it’s important to not only acknowledge the progress you’ve made, but also focus on concrete actions that will accelerate your journey.
recognize progress
Change is afoot. Up until now, I have often been the only woman, but I was very happy to see an increase in the number of women participating in Qualis training sessions recently. There were women at every table, not alone in the room. This progress is worth celebrating, but I’d like to see more progress so that I don’t feel the need to scan the room every time I go to see if there are other women. So what can we learn from it?
Promote inclusion and take action on diversity
I was impressed by the intentional efforts made to ensure diversity at the event. It’s time to build on this intentional inclusivity. All leaders must recognize the need for diversity and take intentional steps to include and invest in women and other underrepresented groups.
I would like to see recruitment efforts mandate the inclusion of women among candidates. I want each manager to have goals related to female diversity on their team. We want the industry to ensure women are included on advisory boards, executive committees, or speaking opportunities.
It may sound basic, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. Real change requires a concrete plan and consistent follow-through from leaders.
Supporting women’s growth
Let’s talk more about investing. It is clear that women do not receive the same level of investment as men when it comes to skill development, professional advancement, and advancement. I believe it’s time for technology companies and industry organizations to make targeted investments in women’s education, events, and career development.
Progress has been made in terms of leadership, but there is still work to be done. Women now make up about a third of board members, but the representation of women in the minority remains too low. Companies need to actively support women’s advancement into senior leadership roles, offering support through mentorship and growth opportunities.
pay in advance
Whether you admire her or not, Margaret Thatcher has a point. That all women should help each other. At Qualys, we are proud to have women in top leadership positions, including CFO, CHRO, and board members. But it’s not just about putting women into these roles, it’s about actively supporting other women through the process.
I’ve been mentoring women for nearly 20 years, both within my company and through organizations like Women in Technology and initiatives like Leading Like a Lady. Watching these women grow and succeed in their careers is extremely rewarding.
I’m calling on others to join me in paying it forward and investing in the next generation of women leaders. Together, we can create a more just future for all women.
what is your superpower?
We all have something special. For me, that’s the trick to “warp time.” This term was coined by my teammates to describe my efficiency and ability to rally a team to achieve goals faster. I believe that women, in particular, are better at skillful time management, multitasking, and the ability to see long-term impact.
I challenge women to focus on these talents, their ability to build relationships, and how they can help organizations with speed to market, competitive differentiation, and a time warp to success. I strongly encourage you to emphasize this.
embrace resilience
Raised in a blue-collar family with traditional values, just before my 18th birthday I took matters into my own hands, left home, juggled two jobs, and went to college at night. I made enough money to attend part time. It was tough, but it led to a breakthrough in my career at a female-owned video conferencing startup.
I was fortunate to have supportive mentors who invested in my professional development, coached me, promoted me, and taught me the importance of resilience. What this experience has taught me is not to be afraid of new challenges, whether it’s learning a new technology or tackling an unfamiliar task.
There is a wealth of training available, and the cybersecurity field offers a variety of career paths, from sales and channels to project management and customer support roles. Find your strengths, business skills, and what you enjoy and dive in. Identify your strengths and take advantage of networking, especially with female peers who are passionate about supporting newcomers.
keep an open mind
As I recognized my own struggle for equality, I realized additional challenges that intersected with women of color and other minority groups. Driven by this realization, I began having “courageous conversations” with my team during the time of COVID-19 to create a safe space to address global injustice.
These discussions highlight the unconscious bias and lack of support that many minority female colleagues experience. It made me appreciate the investments others made early in my career and recognize my privilege as a white woman. Keep an open mind and advocate for inclusivity so that all voices are heard and valued.
call to action
International Women’s Day is more than just a celebration. It is a call to action for change.
Let’s foster a culture of inclusion, invest in women’s empowerment, and commit to amplifying women’s voices in tech. Together, we can pave the way for a world of gender equality, one where all women have the opportunity to thrive and lead and inspire future generations.