Cyberfeminism: How we speak about women & technology

As a headstrong young woman, I know the importance equality of gender holds in our society. Without it, I don’t think I’d be writing this piece, be able to dedicate myself to my Politics studies at our wonderful university or even have the right to sit here and say any of this: it’s paramount to the lives of every woman, because it is the ability to be seen and heard in just the same way as any man would be. The search for a truly equal footing extends to many branches of life, if not the first thoughts of economy, workplace and representation, then family life, the media and bodily autonomy. 

What you’re probably not thinking about at instant when you consider gender equality, is technology. Surely men and women have the same experiences? Well, actually, that couldn’t be further from the truth. A recent web article by PWC UK stated that:

• 3%

of females say a career in technology is their first choice

• 78%

of students can’t name a famous female working in technology

• 16%

of females have had a career in technology suggested to them, in comparison to 33% of males.

• 5%

of all leadership positions in the technology sector are held by women. 

Being aware of these shocking statistics, it’s absolutely no surprise that there’s been a rise in the popularity of what we refer to as Cyberfeminism. Think regular girl power, but with more computers. First coined in the early 90s when technology started to become what we know it as today, it’s by no means a new idea. But recently it’s been received as a wave of fresh air for young women fighting for equal treatment in what is still very much a ‘man’s world’.

A great place to reference the role played by this movement since it first emerged is the Cyberfeminism Index, which can be found with a quick Google search - everything from online articles to speeches, forms and essays on how Cyberfeminism came to be and what it means for women online. In a time where women are quickly kicked out of conversations about technology, we need this kind of community more than ever. Stereotypes that exist about women’s lack of ability in STEM subjects give way to errasure of feminist amongst the techonological platform. If Cyberfeminism can be the encouragement needed for a young girl to get into a career in technology, start up a blog about her computer building skills or even just feel like she’s being taken seriously as a member of a forum about a new video game, then it’s worth it. 

We often talk about how Feminism has changed its face a fair few times over the years, but if it’s opening doors for women of every age, race and sexuality to step into new beginnings and opportunities, then that can never be a bad thing, and ultimately, is everything we stand for. 

In my next blog post, in credit of a door that our discussion on cyberfeminism has opened for us, I’ll be writing about the women and the media; everything from tv, film, the press and radio. The good, the bad and the ugly!