The leaders of 15 global technology companies have officially launched a ‘Male Champions of Change’ strategy to further the fight for gender equality and support women in the $3 trillion industry.
Currently on average only 18 per cent of undergraduate computer science degrees, 26 per cent of computing jobs and only 5 per cent of leadership roles in the tech industry are held by women.
“Technology is driving exponential change across the globe and, in many cases, dramatic social, cultural and economic empowerment opportunities for women,” Elizabeth Broderick, Australia’s former Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Male Champions of Change Founder said during the Intel Capital Global Summit in Palm Desert, California.
“Yet within the tech sector itself, women are sorely under-represented, and sadly, often rejected by a male-dominated system. This is unacceptable. It requires male leaders to step up beside women to better understand the underlying issues and together lead disruptive and constructive change.
“The Male Champions of Change strategy engages men of power to work in partnership with women to achieve gender equality and accelerate the advancement of more women into leadership positions. There is no global sector where this is more important to women’s future, and our future, than tech.”
The 15 companies include, Intel Capital, M12 (formerly Microsoft Ventures), the BBC, Blippar, BT Group, Conde Nast International, Henkelx, Made.com and Naspers will form a Male Champions of Change Global Technology Group, with additional members to be announced. Their goal is to reach 30 members by January 2019.
“We want to ensure smart, creative young women can see themselves delivering leading tech solutions in the future or becoming CEOs of world-class tech organisations,” said Intel Capital President Wendell Brooks.
“Women are not advancing at the same rate as men in our industry, and part of it unfortunately is systemic bias – conscious or unconscious.”
Intel Captial have invested more than $125 million since 2015 into tech startups led by women and other under-represented groups via their Intel Capital Diversity Initiative.
“The old excuses simply don’t wash anymore,” added Brooks. “With my Champions of Change colleagues, working side-by-side with women leaders in our sector, we intend to change that system to create equal, respectful and inspiring working environments for everyone.”
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