International Women's Day: what about women in ICT?

According to Statistics Netherlands, there is an increase in the number of working women in the ICT sector. However, the proportions are still very skewed. We asked her what it's like to work as a female developer in a male sector. How do you think yourself that it is because so few women work in ICT?

“I find this difficult to judge because I've always had rather boyish interests myself and no one has ever made a fuss about it. My environment, other than the super lame jokes that I could just laugh at, never made me feel like I wasn't in the right place. That's why it's all very obvious to me and I don't understand why this isn't the case for many women.

There are several potential reasons that come to mind. Reasons may be that women (in the past) may not have been allowed to be the way they wanted to be, or that they find the male world too dominant or intimidating. Or maybe the technical professions and interests tend to be male-oriented. If I have to come to a conclusion, I think it is mainly due to upbringing and the world around women, but I do have the idea that stereotypes have been broken more often in recent years and more women are simply working in the IT sector. get going if they want to.”

“Things that come to mind as potential reasons are that they may not (before) be allowed to be the way they wanted to be, find the male world too dominant, think technical professions and interests are for men, have been talked into saying it's too hard for them or are scared for harassment.”

And what do you think about the fact that there are so few women in IT?

“I don't really care that much because I personally determine whether I like and like someone based on that person's personality and not based on their gender. I also do not notice any influence of gender on someone's skills within his or her field. According to the stereotype, for example, a woman is more creative and a man more technical, but within IT companies I see little of this in practice: the CDO can be a man and the CTO can be a woman. That's why I really don't care that so few women work in IT. If someone comes to apply, I wouldn't be happier if they were a woman instead of a man. I do hope, however, that the women who would like to work in IT actually do so and do not choose or have chosen another field because they feel they have to do so, which I would regret.”

And what do you like so much about the ICT world?

“The wide variety of types of companies. My experience with companies in the IT world is that everything doesn't have to be so serious and stiff to achieve good results and that there is great appreciation for the employees. I myself can't stand a strict, static workplace where you are worth less than the manager or boss, are always under enormous pressure and rarely get to hear that you have made something beautiful. Now the IT world will certainly also have such companies, but there is a greater choice in the type of companies, with the corresponding atmosphere on the work floor. Do you want to work at a bank? Then you work at a bank. Do you want to work for a multinational? Then you will work for a multinational. Do you want to work in a small start-up? Then you will work in a small start-up. There is a type of company for everyone that suits his or her personal wishes.”

Finally.. WWhat would you like to share with female ICT specialists within this male world?
“Don't pretend to be different because there happen to be a lot of men around you: not out of insecurity, but not to impress either. Pretending to be different, being very insecure or acting too intimidating creates a certain distance between you and the rest, while you will fit in if you just be yourself. For very feminine women it can be difficult to connect initially, but in the end you always find similarities and common interests.”

The number of women working in ICT is on the rise, a trend that we at Coffee IT like to see. Not only does Daphne create fantastic apps for the Android platform, she is also a valuable addition to the team. Power women in IT are slowly popping up, think of Karin Hilton (Elsevier), Marili 't Hooft-Bolle (WeTransfer) and Jaya Baloo (KPN). Are you a power woman (or power man) within the IT sector or do you know someone who would like to work as an application developer? Coffee IT is always looking for reinforcement within the team. Are you interested? Then view our vacancy page or send an email to werkenbij@coffeeit.nl.