Driven by either a sense of fairness or the recognition that companies that represent the diversity of the real world in its workforce simply perform better, the technological sector at least is devoting considerable effort and resources to ensure that their organizations are more inclusive. This is because technological companies rely heavily on innovation, and having different points of views, different background experiences, creative visions and skillsets are essential for innovation to occur. Tech equality is also an emerging new ideology in the sector that promotes values such as equal access irrespective of geographical location, socioeconomic background, or orientation. This is especially true in a world where digitization is proceeding at an accelerated pace.
Several areas of the technological sector require special attention to ensure that the barriers to both diversity and inclusivity are dismantled in a meaningful and lasting manner. Increasing access to technology is of primary importance to ensure that representation in technology flows on to the development-end of the industry and that it caters to the needs of a diverse audience. Increasing access to technology is one of the most formidable challenges facing the diversity issue, as the rapid pace in which technology advances is a difficult one to emulate equally all over the world. Another issue in the technological industry with regard to diversity is the historical precedent set for it, especially with regard to women and underrepresented minorities.
Alliance for Global Inclusion
Established in 2020, the Alliance for Global Inclusion consists of a number of the largest technological companies in the world, such as Dell Technologies, Intel, Equinix, and Micron. The alliance’s four values aptly sums up the ideals that the industry should strive to aspire to in all its activities: “leadership representation, inclusive language, inclusive product development, and STEM readiness in under-resourced communities”.
The Alliance’s 2022 global report offers many interesting insights into how the technological sector actually incorporates DEI goals within their organizations. Interestingly, senior leader accountability for DEI results was highest among companies with bases or branches in Africa, while the Latin Americas and Europe lagged noticeably behind.
Holding leadership accountable is an important indicator for DEI goals, as they are responsible for setting the tone for all other activities across the organization. On the other hand, a leadership that did not recognize a need for diversity and inclusivity would strike a regressive note for the organization moving forward. It is also interesting to note that the report places Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East ahead of other countries for their focus on holding leadership accountable to achieve diversity within their organizations as these regions are traditionally represented on global media as intolerant. On the other hand, more conventionally ‘developed’ countries are yet to catch up.
The need for technological upskilling
There is as an equal need for change in the workforce as there is in the leadership of technological companies, as the supply of diverse individuals to the technological sector remains low. For example, research conducted by DEI solutions provider Seramount found that 73% of white women and 83% of multicultural women thought that a lack of sponsors was a key obstacle in achieving higher positions in management roles. This is of course due to unequal access to the necessary resources to add value to the human resources available. As such, there is a growing realization of the need for formal mentoring and sponsorship programs to equip those in need with the opportunity to participate as equals in the industry.
Fortunately, there are also clear indications that organizations in the industry are actively working to promote representation and inclusion.
Google works to increase female participation in the industry in Nigeria
An ambitious initiative by Google in partnership with the state government of Kaduna aims to train 5,000 women and girls in data science, artificial intelligence and entrepreneurial application of digital technologies. The program is part of a larger project that aims to empower 20,000 more women and young people across Nigeria. The project would better position its beneficiaries to make use of the opportunities available in the digital and creative industries. This program is especially welcome in Nigeria as it has been found that young men are almost two times as likely to have a career in the technological sector. Only a fifth of the workforce in the Information and Technology sector are women.
England’s Institute of Coding enrolls millionth student
Click Start is a nation-wide program conducted by England’s Institute of Coding to close the digital skills gap in the country. The program is funded by Nominet, a public benefit that both operates and protects the UK’s internet infrastructure. Click Start aims to support individuals that experience barriers to access education to boost diversity in the technology industry. Five years after the IOC was founded, the institute has enrolled its one millionth student, a mother of three from Durham. The institution’s programs are short and flexible, which students can follow alongside their existing commitments. These go a long way towards both creating an industry with diverse representation as well as boosting the earning power of the structurally underprivileged.
GitHub enhances accessibility for increased inclusivity
Disability inclusivity is one diversity issue that frequently passes under the radar, especially in the tech industry. GitHub is an organization that has gained visibility for its sustained efforts to foster inclusivity for persons with disabilities both by providing them equal opportunities as well as enabling their participation in the workforce through inclusive product development. The company’s hiring practices as well as training programs are all built around comprehensive accessibility protocols. The GitHub platform itself is continuously in the process of being adapted to make it more accessible, such as including a primary navigation experience to the platform to make it more accessible and a fast code search function that’s compatible for screen readers. An intuitive AI tool that allows developers to code via their voice is also in the works.
Access to the use of technologies is about more than just making the industry a diverse space: it also has a ripple effect on individuals and the communities as a whole. For example, digital inclusivity is vital for economic development, active civic participation, healthcare, law and order, and the like. It is difficult to imagine that it would be possible to find any form of employment that did not require some level of digital skills. It is important that DEI efforts in the industry capture this facet of the sector as well. While implementing organization-wide changes to ensure that diversity and inclusivity are an integral part of company culture, it is also important that industry players take an active role in dismantling the social structures that keep certain communities from taking their rightful place in driving innovation into the future.
(Theruni Liyanage)