She uttered the exact thoughts I had been battling with a few minutes
before she came in. I was wondering why we had very, very few women sitting up
at the tables, why there were lesser skirts in the boardrooms and why the
legislative arm of government had just a handful of women who stand up to
decision making processes that affect their sons and daughters and loved ones.
On my desktop wallpaper, there’s this treasured picture I have showing
the 5 presidents of the countries that make up BRICS- Brazil, Russia, India,
China and South Africa. The only woman in the picture is the president of
Brazil… seeing her made me proud, you know, at least, there was a woman in the
picture, but I still silently wondered and asked myself,’Similolu, where
are the women?’
Just as I was ruminating on these thoughts, I was invited to be the
compere at NACOSS (Nigerian Association of Computer Science Students)
National Convention. The convention was centered on increased female
participation in IT. All the presentations were laced with facts that proved
that things were way more terrible than I thought - the number of females
involved in IT is very low… In Africa, it is ‘lowerly ’ lower than I could have
conceived in my wildest imaginations. Still boils down to the same question;
Where are the women?
The question is this, where are the women?
Am I supposed to be somewhere at the back, far at the back because I am
a woman?
Am I supposed to live an average life because I’m a woman?
Do life pursuits and aspirations end when a woman gets married?
Is Being Female= Being Passive?
Why should I be quiet when decisions that affect me and my future
children are being made?
Why?
************
(This is first in a series of about 4 posts. Let’s reason together. I’ll
give replies to all comments and I’m promising objectivity-NO skewedness to the
left or right to support any gender)
Reading your article, i feel women needs a big wake up call. Referencing to the poor role of women in IT, i must confess, its the way the industry has been designed, it takes a woman with great character to want to code all night long or keep typing crazy command on the terminal, women seems to want to take the easy way out, so the opt for Software testing Jobs. I will tell you where the problem comes from with a classic example: "While in U.G, there were superbly brilliant women in the class but all they want to be is the Topper of the class, they get good marks but they cant build a simple calculator app in all the subject where get 90%. on the other hand is this group of un-serious boys who hardly get 40% to pass, yet they build great softwares, explore many area of technology." my point is that the mentality has to change, its not about just getting the theory right but being able to translate it to practicable designs. I must say women in develop world are doing just fine but what about the African women. I hope you do reach out to them... they must step out of their comfort zone and start doing something ... good luck in your campaign. am with you all the way.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Michael. Being a Computer Science student myself, I am well aware of the way things are. Infact, technology is thought to be a male field and I have met guys who ask me if I'm in Tech because ladies in Tech are few and they don't even expect the few tech ladies to use lipstick and wear heels...lol. I agree totally with your point, we need to have a change in mentality.This current generation of young, agile women needs that change. We'll dig deeper into how to have that 'mentality change' and trust me, this is not some other 'talk', this will be backed with action. Kindly drop suggestions on ways we go about this......and thanks for being with me all the way! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are right, my Aunt an Ethical hacker always look crappy, she is just like that lol.. But lets look at one other problem: "grow up, the Nursing profession was majorly women profession, but recently i went to one top specialist, and to my surprise the trend has been reversed, there more male nurses than their female counterparts", which begs the question how come women are giving up on what used to be theirs and men taking over the whole industries?. Now solution, women must be ready to take risk... By risk i mean, take it on with the guys, don't women must open their minds to creating new things. There are many women in Europe ,North America, Asia who already started the trend. i will close my argument by saying women must look around, find a problem in their immediate environs and look for a solution. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32811864
DeleteMichael, you don't know how much I appreciate those suggestions up there. Truth is, I agree with you. Actually, I think risk-taking is a big deal to the average individual--males and females. What we find more often is that men are willing to do new things and are daring by nature...women tend to be more analytical and even overly analytical which cripples their risk-taking abilities. However, women need to step forward, defy the ordinary and try new things. Thumbs up man! There'll be a post too in this series on the role of men in a woman's life. Can't wait to read your comments!
DeleteHello Simi and Michael, nice views.
ReplyDeleteStarting with this, I am a software developer. Everywhere I've worked, I am always the only girl in their tech room. I find this rather uncool. This is one of the reasons almost all my friends are guys.
Again, most times, my hair looks so rough (one of the reasons I had to go and cut my hair). Though I'm working on balancing that now.
Now the solution, many a times, the pictures that are painted about software engineers being a rough, coffee addict, no social life and Co makes ladies run away from this. I mean, which kind of hobby would make me forgo my social life.
Another reason which I've not been able to figure out is this. How do ladies cope with husband, children, bugs and clients? At a point, they will need to just focus on some and neglect some. And honestly, in Nigeria, which lady would forsake marital bliss for coding? Personally, I've not been able to have a clear pics of how intend to balance all of this when I'm married.
In conclusion, ladies already in tech should make tech look interesting to other ladies. Coding shouldn't stop u from looking neat and beautiful. You can still look good in jeans, tees and sneakers. ;)
As a matter of play play, ordinarily, nobody would have thought that one person can't be nominated in two opposite categories for an award. But alas, I was nominated in Most sociable and geek of the class. Meaning, u can be a developer and still be social. Just that you have to make some sacrifices.
My hand is already paining me. Please ignore the typos, if any, as I couldn't proof read before posting.
Well said miss, "which young woman will want to sacrifice her marriage bliss for coding?"... there comes the main problem, Young African Women are so freaked about quote and unquote marriage thing. I will say career first, as most young men would say, i am just not ready for this marriage thing, i wanna build my career first, why not adopt this principle as a woman. talking about being professional in IT as well as socially in vogue, i will say it is possible. "There is this joke that we crack back in U.G. : computer science student don't have life", sometime when i look at it, it does look true, but sometime we need to create time for enjoyment... How do we stop this misconceptions that some professions are not for ladies, grass root development is the answer, Other women in sectors like IT, Engineering can go to colleges, high schools, Universities and encourage the upcoming Ladies that in fact they can do well in these so called male dominated industries. Seems you love coding, hope we can code together some days. Peace out!!!
DeleteLara, you have voiced out my exact thoughts. Balance has been a major issue on my mind. Usually, I see women who excel in one thing, perform average, or even less than average in other areas. I know you've gotten lots of suggestions on facebook but I still feel there's something more we need to know, a quest that burns deep down in our souls to become a ROUNDED woman...nothing missing, nothing broken. This series is a journey into what I can find on this big topic and I'd request that you please join in this search. Let's be the generation that gets it right! and God helping, we will!
DeleteThere's a lot more on my mind!...you just voiced out my most deeply seated concerns *thinking*
DeleteWhere are the women?
ReplyDeleteThat's a very strong question, Simi. From my point of view, I believe one of the reasons why we record low participation from women in the world, and Africa especially is because of the various cultural beliefs across the world that has condemned ladies to being no. 2 in almost every situation /condition.
I find it surprising that you see quite a high number of brilliant female students at the elementary schools, just to see them fade out of the system as it progresses. This has to do with ideology and belief and I think it is high time successful ladies rise, not only to campaign for gender equality, but also act as mentors and a source of inspiration and motivation for these females at the elementary /early stage.
With time, things will turn around.
Culture! Culture!! Culture!!!
DeleteVery strong one there. The next blog should really talk about Culture....in Africa, it's such a big big factor. They teach us to keep quiet so the man doesn't get scared.
Mentoring and Motivating younger ladies is also such a great suggestion.
You know Ridwan, I don't want this series to be anther 'talk talk',,,I want thos to move beyond being a blog post into something that will cause a revolution.
We need more women sitting up at the tables. I need that woman who sells pepper in Lagere to stand up when decisions that determine her future is being discussed.
Suggestions noted man....and will stll expect more in the weeks to come. Cheers!
*want us to move
DeleteHi Simi.
ReplyDeleteOne of the best answers I've heard to this question was from a female co-founder. Her name is Mena Trott of Six Apart. Here's an excerpt of her interview from Jessica Livingston's Founders at Work:
Livingston: Any other reasons why there aren’t more female founders?
Trott: People do ask me that all the time, and I have to step back and try to figure out why it is. I’m at a weird age group where I haven’t been in the industry for a long time and I haven’t seen it first hand, but then it’s like, “It can’t be a problem because I’m here.”
If I’m forced to think about women who are in this field, I can’t usually. But I know there are. Many women are in marketing or design. I think marketing and design are a lot harder to learn than engineering. That’s my opinion. People put value judgments on engineering like, “There are more men; therefore, it must be a smarter field that women should get into.” I don’t think that’s the case at all. I say, look at women, they’re strong designers and strong at marketing and communication. That’s a harder skill to acquire in life. Being able to write and being able to figure out what people want in their product, how to sell it to them.
There aren’t that many women in technology and maybe it doesn’t really matter. I mean, why aren’t there more men in design?
Emmanuel!
DeleteWoow, it's good to hear from you :)
Well, nice, sharp reply really.
Wow!
Well, that's her opinion. I don't quite agree with all she said though, but I think she made a very strong point up there.
However, my central focus is on more Women 'leaning in'....not only in techology, in politics, in the boardrooms at Multinationals, at top management positions, as leaders, as entrepreneurs with the major emphasis on the African Woman.
Well miss Simi...don't have much to say but i just want to comment...i think we need more women and girls to ask this question you are asking now..."where are the WOMEN?"
ReplyDeleteYes, we all should ask this question.
ReplyDeleteInfact, our men need t ask the question too...after which we can now move from asking the question to providing the answers.
Nice one man....*Warri*..lol
WHERE ARE THE WOMEN
ReplyDeleteIn my small mind I have a big question
You see, it tears my inside up like an East storm
Its a question I hope to find answers to after these words
So here's my question
Where are the women?
Where are the women?
Some have turned old thatched roof kitchens
Into lonely safe havens
Where they cook and hide and lie, afraid of the next level
Saying they are merely the producers of the next generation
Others prefer only changing diapers and beddings
To also being the chairman at the next board meeting.
Instead of sizing up men as rivals for fighting
Serving them cold words and beefing
They could sit down together and reason
Find the part of the big picture that's missing
So I ask again
Where are the women?
Are they still beaten back by culture and tradition
Afraid to be the next president of the nation
Thinking it's a man's world
So they accept competition
As a form of torture
Where are the women?
Where are the bold, intelligent, beautiful smart women?
In governance, are they not still the one out of ten (1/10)
Are responsibilities not viewed as punishment?
Can they make a dollar out of every one cent?
Where are the women?
Where are the Merkels, the Thatchers, the Johnsons, the Oprahs?
Where are they?
Where are the Serenas, the Slessors, the Ekpos, the Theresas?
Where are they?
Are they awake yet?
Have they decided to look success in the eye and place a bet?
Do they allow their powerful voices drown in the River Tibet?
While still searching for a saviour from Nazareth?
Where are they?
I need to see their hands pointing up and forward
Not accusing their fathers and husbands as frauds
But showing the direction of their vision squad
Where are the women?
Where are the women?
It's time they broke out of their shells
Realised nature offers the sleeping one no help
Picked their dreams off the shelf
Stepped up to the plate and said aloud to themselves
"I am a woman, I can make it!"
Where are the women?
We men must allow women win
Let them share a seat at the victory table
Allow their voice speak, make them know they are able
Banish fears and failures and limiting flaws as old wives fables
Side by side, hand in hand, let's breast the finish line
And when they sing to the heart, let it intoxicate like fresh wine
Today is the time, not next weekend
For women to stand up and be counted
Women, fly, think, dream, write, lead, win
Being a boss is not a sin
If the system doesn't let you in
Create your own door and walk in
Where are the women?
In my small mind I have a big question
You see, it tears my inside up like the East storm
Its a question I hope I found answers to before these words
So here's my question
Where are the women?
Tim
A man has asked the QUESTION, Simi ;-) Next remains the answers.
Delete