At the WomenTech Network, we’re fortunate to have a wonderful, global community of ambassadors who help us spread the word about our work and who helped us make the WomenTech Global Conference 2020 a success and continue helping us on or mission to unite women in tech. We would like you to meet these wonderful people as well; therefore, we’re going to be introducing you to some of our most active members.

Today, get to know Satabdi Mishra:

Satabdi Mishra is a first-year CSE undergrad at the College of Engineering and Technology, Bhubaneswar, India. She is passionate to explore the fields of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. From her first year of college, she was enthusiastic enough to build challenging projects like "SMART SOLDIER STRAP” which aims to create a highly secure and fortified soldier strap which uses MANET type communication system and features real-time GPS, location timeline, SoS facility. Her ultimate dream is to launch a startup that caters to social interests. 

"I am keen, focussed and persistent in learning new concepts with a constant knack for improvisation and want to use my skillset to make a change for better."

In Satabdi’s Own Words:

• How can women get the right support?

Digital technology is an increasingly important tool for movement building, allowing organizations and networks to exchange information rapidly, and creating opportunities for a diversity of voices to be heard and shared.

It also creates awareness about various opportunities that women can avail in their fields and provides proper guidance through mentorship programmes. But this alone is not enough; women need to be made confident in their own skin by parents and educators and should be left to choose their career freely, without bias.

• How can men help make the tech sector a better place for women?

Women in the tech workplace don’t need male saviours, but they certainly could use supportive allies of conscience and integrity to create a healthier and more equitable work environment for all.

Often, women share their ideas at work but are met with silence and indifference. Then, immediately after, the very same idea is put forth by a man who claims it as his own, and everyone approves enthusiastically. This can be reduced by amplification and proper support, preferably by men because they make the majority.

Male allies have to insist on a policy of zero tolerance for harassment in the workplace. Besides, they should support by being hospitable and helpful enough to mentor and sponsor women. 

• Do you notice a lack of women in technology? If so, why do you think that's the case?

Only 26% of computing jobs are held by women. Lack of career growth is the most common reason why women leave tech jobs.

At its worst, the industry has cultivated a toxic “bro culture”, exemplified by Uber’s founder Travis Kalanick who was accused of creating a sexist work culture that discriminated against female employees.

Others point to the lack of girls taking on STEM subjects, weakening the pipeline of young women into tech-related industries. Women just aren’t getting promoted into senior tech roles. There’s a real lack of sponsorship, of people in senior positions – typically men – supporting women’s work and efforts.