What Steps Can We Take to Ensure Women Are Represented in International Tech Standards?

Powered by AI and the women in tech community.

Promote gender equity in tech standards by encouraging balanced committee appointments, investing in women's STEM education, and establishing mentorship programs. Raise awareness of gender bias, set gender representation goals, and create inclusive policies. Showcase female role models, engage women early in standard development, support gender-tech research, and lobby for supportive policies.

Promote gender equity in tech standards by encouraging balanced committee appointments, investing in women's STEM education, and establishing mentorship programs. Raise awareness of gender bias, set gender representation goals, and create inclusive policies. Showcase female role models, engage women early in standard development, support gender-tech research, and lobby for supportive policies.

Contribute to three or more articles across any domain to qualify for the Contributor badge. Please check back tomorrow for updates on your progress.

Contribute to three or more articles across any domain to qualify for the Contributor badge. Please check back tomorrow for updates on your progress.

Promote Gender Equity in Standards Committees

Encourage organizations and governments worldwide to appoint a balanced number of men and women to committees that set international tech standards. This can be achieved through mandates that require gender diversity or through incentives for organizations that demonstrate gender inclusivity in their appointments.

Add your perspective

Foster Education and Training for Women

Invest in specialized programs and scholarships aimed at women, focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education from an early age. This effort ensures a larger pool of women equipped with the necessary skills to contribute to international tech standards.

Add your perspective

Implement Mentorship and Sponsorship Programs

Establish mentorship and sponsorship programs that specifically target women in technology fields. These programs can offer guidance, support, and opportunities to women, helping them navigate their careers and assume leadership roles in the process of standardization.

Add your perspective

Raise Awareness on Gender Bias

Promote awareness about the implicit gender biases that can affect the participation of women in setting tech standards. Workshops and training sessions can be organized for those involved in the standardization process to recognize and overcome these biases.

Add your perspective

Set and Monitor Gender Representation Goals

Organizations and committees involved in international tech standards should set clear, measurable goals for gender representation. Regularly monitoring progress towards these goals and publicly reporting on them can motivate improvements and accountability.

Add your perspective

Create Inclusive Policies and Work Environments

Develop policies that support a balanced work-life integration, such as flexible work hours and parental leave. Such policies make it easier for women to pursue long-term careers in technology fields, including roles in international standards setting.

Add your perspective

Highlight Female Role Models

Showcase the achievements of women who have significantly contributed to tech standards. Highlighting female role models in this field can inspire more women to pursue careers in technology and aim for leadership positions in standard-setting bodies.

Add your perspective

Engage Women in Early Stages of Standard Development

Ensure that women are not only present but also actively engaged in the initial stages of tech standard development. Early involvement guarantees that their perspectives and needs are incorporated from the outset, leading to more inclusive and balanced standards.

Add your perspective

Support Research on Gender and Technology

Fund research that investigates the gender gap in technology and standardization. Understanding the barriers that women face can inform more targeted interventions to close the gap and ensure equal representation.

Add your perspective

Lobby for Policy Change at National and International Levels

Work with policymakers to enact legislation that supports gender diversity in tech fields and in the processes that define tech standards. Advocacy can play a crucial role in changing the landscape and ensuring that women have equal opportunities to contribute to and shape international tech standards.

Add your perspective

What else to take into account

This section is for sharing any additional examples, stories, or insights that do not fit into previous sections. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Add your perspective

International Tech Standards

Want to contribute ? We select experts based on their experience and skills.

Learn more about becoming a contributor.

Rate this article

More articles on International Tech Standards

See all

More relevant reading

Environmental Standards in Tech
Can Technology Innovation and Environmental Sustainability Coexist?
Data Security Standards
How Can Women Leaders Influence Stronger Data Security Practices in Their Organizations?
Accessibility Standards in Tech
What Best Practices Should Tech Companies Follow to Meet Accessibility Standards for Women?
Tech Standards in Education
How Can Women Leaders Influence the Evolution of Tech Standards in Education?