Why we need equal representation in tech: Interview with Aiva Staņēviča

The tech industry has been rapidly growing over the past few decades, and it has become one of the most influential and lucrative sectors in the global economy. However, the industry has long been plagued by a lack of diversity, with women and people of color being underrepresented in tech roles. In Latvia, this lack of representation is particularly evident. According to the Digital Technology and Society Index, only 22.7% of IT employees in Latvia are women, which falls below the EU average of 26.4%. This statistic highlights the urgent need for more women in the tech industry in Latvia and the rest of the world. To encourage more women to join the tech industry, Laurel Freyja, Alina Karpelceva, and Elīna Sundukova founded Riga TechGirls. Since 2015, the team has expanded, inspired, and educated thousands of women who have strengthened the industry with their passion for tech. 

Prezi and Infogram’s values lay very close to the ones of Riga TechGirls. That’s one of the reasons why we’ve been close supporters of the organization since our co-founder, Alise Dīrika, joined Riga TechGirls. Not to mention, the Prezi and Infogram team members have frequently taken the role of mentors in the TechMentor program, that’s also currently taking place from January to June 2023. To bring attention to topics that both Infogram and Riga TechGirls find meaningful and essential to discuss, we’re starting a series of insightful interviews with the core members of the RTG team, starting with Aiva Staņēviča, a web developer and Chief Technology Officer at Riga TechGirls. In this article, we’re exploring why we need more women in tech and the impact of representation. 

Guiding women through their tech journey

Your involvement with the Riga TechGirls team suggests that you share their passion for leading important conversations. What motivated you to join Riga TechGirls? 

My journey to Riga TechGirls started in 2017. When I was studying computer science, I had the opportunity to join Riga TechGirls, a community that organized tech meet-ups and workshops exclusively for women. It was an exciting opportunity to be part of a group of like-minded women who shared a passion for technology. After two years of active participation, I was offered a role in the Riga TechGirls team, which I was happy to accept.

One of the reasons why I enjoy being part of the Riga TechGirls community is because it has allowed me to help others. Guiding people through their technology journey and explaining complex terms is particularly rewarding for me. Digital literacy is a significant challenge in Latvia, with only 43% of people having basic digital skills compared to the state’s target of 70%. (State guidelines for digital transformation 2021-2027) The low level of basic digital skills can be attributed to the demographics of society and the availability of technology, particularly in regions outside of the capital city.

To address this issue, efforts have been made to equip libraries with computers and to provide training to people in regions where technology access is limited. Also, there is an emphasis on technology education in schools across the country, particularly in regions where digital literacy is a significant issue.

Why women are underrepresented in tech

Without a doubt, improving digital literacy is detrimental as it directly affects our ability to communicate with others and educate ourselves efficiently. As we go into the topic of tech skills and women’s role in the industry, what would you say are the key reasons why women are underrepresented in this field, and why historically men have dominated the industry more? 

It’s a common misconception that the tech industry has always been male-dominated, but in reality, women were among the first programmers in the 20th century. I find it fascinating that this was one of the first professions women started working in. However, today, there’s a different narrative about women in tech, but luckily, it hasn’t personally affected me or discouraged me from pursuing my career as a developer.

Nevertheless, even in school, I noticed the issue of gender inequality. STEM subjects were considered more suitable for boys, and it was apparent that girls were less interested in the tech industry, especially in university. Currently, about one-third of girls and two-thirds of boys go on to study IT.

Positive indicators show that girls are more diligent about completing their studies, resulting in a higher proportion of female graduates. This suggests that girls tend to have lower dropout rates compared to men. However, it’s clear from industry data that this field is still more oriented toward men.

A 2020 Providus study on the representation of women in Latvia’s technology sector found that the gender gap starts in early childhood. While until the age of 15, both girls and boys are equally interested in STEM subjects, afterward, girls tend to lose interest in these subjects.

Several reasons contribute to this, including conservative beliefs about gender roles imposed in schools and our society. However, there are several ways we can try to tackle this issue:

1. We need more inspiring women’s examples to encourage young girls to pursue their careers in tech. 
   
   
2. Hands-on experience in schools can also help them overcome their fear and understand their interests. 
   
   
3. Teachers, family, and friends should provide encouragement and support.
   

Organizations such as Riga TechGirls hold workshops exclusively for girls, creating a safe space where they feel more comfortable engaging and asking questions. 

Challenges when entering the tech field

Now even if girls receive support and encouragement, they can still face several obstacles when trying to enter the industry. One of the largest issues is the pay gap, with men earning higher salaries than women. Also, women are less likely to bargain for a better salary as their communication style usually differs from men’s. There is also the issue of perfectionism and the fear of taking risks that women need to overcome.

To address these problems, companies need to implement clear policies that protect women’s rights and reduce all forms of discrimination. Organizing inclusive events and mentoring can also help bridge the gender gap in the tech industry.

Consequences of inequality 

It’s clear that unequal representation affects women; however, there must also be some greater consequences. In your opinion, how has unequal representation impacted the industry as a whole? 

The lack of representation of women in the tech industry has consequences that go beyond its impact on women. In fact, it affects the growth of the industry and the tech companies themselves. This is why it’s important to have more diversity in the workplace. When you have a more diverse team, you have a larger pool of talent to choose from, and you also have different points of view.

Let me share an interesting example to elaborate on this: During an all-female Zoom meeting, it was observed that the women looked at their icon most often when they spoke, because it was important for them to see what they looked like. On the other hand, men were less interested in it. This diversity in our perceptions and ways of thinking can help us improve the products or services we offer, as we’re able to understand the user experience from different points of view.

Moreover, having an inclusive environment is important for a company’s reputation. When people are looking for jobs, they tend to appreciate a company’s attitude towards diversity and inclusivity. Employees love to work in inclusive environments, which ultimately benefits the company as well.

Including women in the workplace can lead to more profits, innovation, and better decision-making. Therefore, it’s important for companies to take proactive steps toward increasing diversity in their workforce. By doing so, they can create a more inclusive and successful environment for everyone.

You mentioned that diversity is also essential for designing products, as in the example of Zoom. Can you elaborate on what happens if we don’t have equal representation of women and men when it comes to creating products or services?

The impact of technology on industries differs significantly from that of medicine. In the medical field, drug testers are predominantly men, which poses a significant challenge as the hormonal levels of women differ from those of men, making the recommended dose at times inappropriate for women. 

In the realm of IT, programmers often unconsciously incorporate their personal assumptions into the product they develop. In machine learning, this can lead to significant problems as subjective opinions may be used to make decisions, which may not reflect reality.

As a matter of fact, it’s quite intriguing to note that we may face even more complex challenges in the future. Already, there have been instances where discriminatory codes are unknowingly incorporated into products. It’s essential to recognize such issues and develop solutions to prevent these biases from becoming systemic.

The future of women in tech

Taking into account the current situation where women are still underrepresented in tech and many other fields, how do envision the future of this industry? With the work that you and Riga TechGirls are doing, do you believe that we’re going in the right direction?

In my opinion, we’re moving in the right direction toward creating a more inclusive and diverse IT sector. By working together, we can increase the representation of women and make this field more accessible to anyone who wishes to pursue a career in it.

To this end, companies are also taking action by exploring ways to include and encourage a wider range of people to participate in the industry. These efforts are crucial to ensure that everyone has equal opportunities to succeed in the technology sector.

Conclusion

The lack of representation in the tech industry highlights the urgent need for more women to join the field, not only in Latvia but also globally. In this interview, Aiva outlined why women are generally underrepresented in this field and why we need to urgently address this issue for the betterment of our society and the tech industry itself. 

When looking at the vast and rapid expansion of the Riga TechGirls community, it’s clear that women are highly interested in learning digital skills and going after a career in tech. The organization hosts numerous workshops, meet-ups, and other events to reach and educate women. Currently, there’s also a TechMentor program going on at full speed, where some Infogram and Prezi professionals are also taking part as mentors. If you’re interested in learning about the experience of our team members as mentors in the TechMentor program last year, watch this video: