The theme for International Women’s Day 2021 is “choose to challenge”, the idea that we can all – women and men – choose to challenge gender bias and inequality, and to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements.
How do we challenge gender bias and inequality in the cyber-resilience sector?
We can start by asking the right questions: Why is there such a significant minority of women in my sector and or institution? Do any of my colleagues have concerns or obstacles that could be linked to gender? Are these impacting on their work, or other parts of their lives? Is there anything I do about these issues?
There are plenty of objective studies and data that give answers to these kinds of questions at the macro level, but it’s sometimes harder to see when it is right in front of us – including when it is happening to ourselves! Opening that conversation, and yes, it can be a difficult one, is key to challenging a status quo.
What is exciting however is that change can occur, and is indeed occurring! As just one example, the 2019 Women in Cybersecurity Report published by (ICS)2 painted a far more optimistic portrait of women not only being increasingly represented in the industry, but also making incredible progress on management pathways, and now outstripping men in terms of higher qualifications. While women’s salaries continue to lag, hopefully this will be corrected as women assume more leadership roles.
We can face this challenge by asking ourselves and our partners a more nuanced set of questions: Are young women being enabled to get the qualifications they need to enter cyber-resilience-related professions? Are women and girls impacted differently by cyber-crime, or attacks on critical infrastructure, or by indeed by any threats to resilience? Are women being adequately consulted – and heard! – regarding these issues?
I think a key strength of the Cyber4Dev project is the mentoring it provides professionals in partner countries – so I’d say that we should pledge to continue and strengthen that in relation to women. That doesn’t necessarily mean that women have to be partnered with other women – although this can be important to feel inspired and empowered! – but rather the quality of that support, and the personal validation that is given should be paramount.
Ms. Abigail Hansen, Cyber4Dev expert team member.
