Alice Alfano
Making A Difference This Women’s Day
Happy International Women’s Day! This is a day to celebrate the accomplishments, importance, and achievements of women. The women of Malbek are unlike any other! In every department, whether Sales, HR, Marketing, R&D, or Customer Support, the women of Malbek contribute unique perspectives and accomplishments that give us an edge.
Although we could brag all day, there is a more important purpose to International Women’s Day. It is a day to call out the bias and discrimination that women face and advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion. Unfortunately, the tech industry is infamous for its poor treatment and exclusion of women. We, as a company, are working to change that.
Here are some of our demographics, as well as what you can do to support women in technology:
50% of Malbek employees are Women
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission says that the tech industry is only 36% women. However, independent studies put that figure as low as 27%.
We asked some of the women of Malbek “what does it mean to be a woman in tech” and here are their responses:
“Being a woman in tech is like being a woman in any area of life – full of unseen obstacles that can either derail you or motivate you. Without a doubt, women face systemic challenges that make it harder to succeed in the business world, but I have used that to fuel my passion for building a more equitable world for our daughters.”
-Becky Holloway, VP of Marketing
“Being a woman in tech, I feel empowered to exceed the expectations that are set upon women. It gives me the opportunity to stand out and bring an innovative perspective to a male-dominated industry. The Tech industry is ever-changing, and I am intrigued by such a challenge. I am committed to learning and growing and being the best, I can be. “
– Jameela Tyus, Business Analyst
We are so grateful for their talent and the value that they bring to our organization. We’d like to wish the women of Malbek a very special “thank you” this International Women’s Day. We wouldn’t be the same without you!
If you happen to be in charge of hiring, think about how you can eliminate unconscious bias towards women. Make sure that people with equal qualifications, regardless of gender identity, are considered. If you are looking for a new opportunity at a company that rocks, browse our careers page! We’d love to see what you have to offer.
50% of Malbek Leadership roles are filled by women
At Malbek we are proud of the fact that women make up 50% of our employee base as well as 50% of our VP roles. Unfortunately, that is not true across the rest of the tech industry. Only 22% of leadership roles, whether they be VPs, directors, or similar, are filled by women.
Statistically we know that companies with diverse leadership do better than their homogenous counterparts. Diverse workplaces also benefit the individual as well. Having a strong mentor that inspires her fellow women can make all the difference in work quality and the richness of company culture.
Break the Bias!
Women are half the population and half the workforce, so why do women make up only one-third of tech?
A lot of it has to do with bias. Whether it’s deliberate or unconscious, bias limits opportunities for women in tech and around the world. Some common biases that companies might have are:
- that all women want to stay at home and have children.
- that women’s brains are “wired differently” and aren’t good at STEM careers.
- that women lack the ambition or skills to be a good leader.
- that women are less skilled than their male counterparts.
That’s why the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is #BreakTheBias.
We strongly believe that the only way to defeat bias is to stand up for women and advocate for equal treatment and opportunity. If you hear a coworker or friend stereotype a woman, say something. Try to notice if you have any unconscious biases towards women. Work to correct your thoughts, and you will be working to correct the global issue.
So enough with this “boys club” mentality. Let’s try some “girl power” instead!
