Myntex Partners with Chic Geek to Boost Gender Diversity in Tech

In the gap between opportunity and the limitations that society’s uphold, womxn often find themselves on a different footing than their male counterparts – especially in the workplace. Historically, the tech space has been male-dominated, and many of the same barriers in place then are still here today. Reasons like this explain why only 14% of coders are womxn.

Myntex is passionate about full device encryption and coding, and we strongly believe in eliminating systemic barriers to increase access in the tech sector. We want our industry to be open and welcoming and think that, given technology’s importance in society, everyone must shape it together.

Myntex is proud to announce that we are partnering with Chic Geek, a non-profit that boosts gender diversity in the tech sector. You may have noticed above the spelling “womxn.” We have adopted Chic Geek’s preferred spelling in solidarity and because it’s meaningful. They explain the significance behind the spelling as follows:

“womxn: pronounced [wim-in] – Chic Geek uses womxn with an “x” as an intersectional and inclusive definition that embraces trans, gender queer and non-binary individuals. We use the ‘x’ as a reminder that gender identity is a vibrant, beautiful spectrum and we welcome all women-identifying individuals and allies.”

Nobody should be marginalized, and businesses have an obligation to address systemic biases proactively. On a more fundamental level, we want to help our colleagues map out their lives and do their best work. Everybody loses when gender diversity remains entrenched and unaddressed.

We usually use this space to look at Myntex encrypted communication and developments in the news relating to encryption, but let’s take a closer look at the gender disparity problems Chic Geek is trying to address and their approach to solutions.

For Women, the Talent Funnel in the Tech Sector is Leaky

There are many signs that womxn in the tech sector face unique struggles that impact their career. Only 25% of tech jobs are held by womxn, a figure which hasn’t changed in the last ten years.

About half the womxn who enter the tech sector quit prematurely, usually in their 30s or 40s. It would be wrong and misleading to assume that womxn leave these fields for things like increased work-life balance or family reasons.

The reality is more disturbing. According to Harvard Business Review’s Sylvia Ann Hewlett, as much as 63% of womxn who worked in science, engineering, and technology report experiencing sexual harassment on the job. Machismo, perhaps more generally known as “toxic masculinity,” is a threat to the lives and careers of womxn, which takes many forms.

Womxn who work in male-dominated tech environments talk about facing demeaning and condescending attitudes, sexual innuendo, off-colour jokes, and other problematic everyday behaviours, which only compound and grow worse the more frequently they occur.

While the percentage of womxn employed across all job sectors in the US grew to 47%, in the five largest tech companies (Amazon, Facebook, Apple, Google, and Microsoft), womxn make up only 34.4% of those hired. Considering the social, economic, and cultural impact these companies have on the world at large, it’s not an overstatement to say that sidelining womxn at tech companies effectively sidelines them from the world.

A study conducted by Indeed found that the main reason womxn leave their technology jobs is lack of growth opportunities, as indicated by 28% of respondents. They may find jobs, but they plateau over time without greater chances for economic and professional growth.

When womxn are few in a work environment, it leads to other harmful trickle-down effects, such as no female mentors, role models, or even friends. Our guide to encryption gives people insights about their digital security, but without people who understand the workplace issues womxn face, nobody is there to help them navigate their way through.

Chic Geek Career Pathing

Tackling such a diffuse and widespread problem as fixing gender diversity in the workplace may seem daunting, but people worldwide are trying. Chic Geek has already accomplished much through its initiatives to engage companies and institutions to help womxn see more career visibility.

For example, Chic Geek’s Career Pathing is an online program where womxn with intermediate jobs in the tech industry have a 30-minute conversation with someone a few steps ahead of them but in a similar career journey. Such an approach helps womxn find new possibilities, opportunities, growth areas, and strategic connections.

It’s crucial for everyone to explore their career path deeply, but womxn simply aren’t as able to come in contact with a female colleague with first-hand tech experience to offer meaningful guidance. Just like knowing that choosing Myntex encrypted communication keeps the hackers away, you need the right access to people with experience and insight to be in your corner.

Chic Geek makes it easier for every womxn to find their community and grow their confidence.

The Business Case for More Gender Diversity

While gender diversity is a human rights issue, there are also self-interested reasons why companies should pursue it. A 2020 report from McKinsey found that diverse companies perform better, hire better talent, have more employee engagement, and retain workers better than companies that do not focus on inclusion and diversity.

Even if a tech company is not motivated to address gender inequality for ethical or social principles, the business case speaks for itself. Put another way: there is money to be made by eradicating gender discrimination from your company.

Society needs to pursue multiple approaches to removing systemic gender barriers at once, and thankfully that is already underway. It’s great to see more girls and young womxn encouraged to take up STEM skills in school, but it’s also crucial to retain the womxn already in the tech sector by keeping them happy and driven in their work.