Stanbic IBTC has made a case for women in technology, to be given equal resources to maximise their full potential.
Benedicta Nwagwu, acting lead innovation, digital involvement and analytics Stanbic IBTC, emphasised the importance of equity, at Stanbic IBTC “Women in Tech Webinar, themed ‘Embrace Equity: Building digital skills for life” on May 6, 2023.
“It is important to provide resources equally so everyone can maximise their full potential and achieve an equal outcome,” Nwagwu said.
Female tech entrepreneurs encourage more participation of women in technology to create better policies and drive innovation.
“More women are needed in tech for more innovation and better policy making,” Adora Nwobodo, software engineer at Microsoft said.
She spoke about how diversity in the tech industry can lead to building more inclusive and better products.
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“The tech industry is a dynamic and fast-growing sector that plays a crucial role in shaping our world. However, it faces a significant diversity challenge, with the underrepresentation of women, minorities, and marginalized groups,” she said.
Nwobodo pointed out that studies show that diverse teams lead to better problem-solving and innovation in tech companies.
“Diverse perspectives and experiences bring fresh ideas and insights, fostering creativity and driving more inclusive technological solutions,” she said.
She said that embracing diversity in the tech industry is not only a matter of fairness and equality but also a strategic advantage for companies seeking long-term success.
Folake Owodunni, co-founder Emergency Response Africa while speaking on the difference between equity and equality said that equity is providing a level playing field for people from different platforms to maximize their talent.
“Equity recognizes that people are not starting from the same level and provides resources to help them reach an equal outcome, it is about creating an equal level field,” she said.
Also, Teju Adeyinka, product designer at Ox Labs during the panelist session mentioned some of the unique problems women face in the workplace.
“Women face unconscious biases when applying for jobs, they also deal with unequal pay and self-elimination,” she said.
The speakers during the webinar encouraged women to take on more tech roles and be problem solvers, they also provided different resources for new entrants that can be of help to them.
