Women in ICT Focus Group
The eSkills Malta Foundation has established a Women in ICT Focus Group, a formidable resource marking their commitment to empowering women within the IT industry. Composed of 15 to 20 members hailing from organisations from Malta's digital landscape, this focus group serves as a dynamic platform for exchange, discussions, and action.
Tackling gender-related obstacles within Malta's IT sector
The focus group's agenda is focused on addressing gender issues that permeate the IT sector. Bi-monthly meetings serve as a platform for discussions, where members exchange on challenges faced by women in the industry and collectively devise initiatives and solutions. The format of the discussions go beyond dialogue; they embody a proactive approach towards addressing gender-related obstacles within the IT sector.
The efficiency of the Women in ICT Focus Group lies not just in its discussions but in its capacity to influence tangible change. Proposals and solutions generated from the group and not simply theoretical, they hold the potential to shape the policies and actions of the eSkills Malta Foundation. In instances where immediate action is possible, the Foundation stands ready to implement measures that emerge from the focus group’s recommendations.
Outputs from the focus group
A significant output from the Women in ICT Focus Group's collaborative effort is the production of various initiatives. These initiatives come in the form of comprehensive intelligence reports, each designed to address specific aspects of gender empowerment within the digital landscape. Examples of such reports include “Guidelines to Increase and Retain Women in ICT,” a strategic document outlining actionable steps to improve the pressure and retention of women in the field.
Any other notable report is the “Analysis of the Gender Gap in the Digital Sector in Malta,” a meticulous examination of the existing gender disparities within the Maltese digital landscape. This report serves as a diagnostic tool, providing valuable insights that informed interventions aimed at bridging these gaps.
Further, the focus group’s impact extends to fostering an environment facilitating the entry of girls in Malta into digital careers. The report, “The Attractiveness and Pursuit of Digital Careers for Girls in Malta”, represents a forward-looking initiative which seeks to create pathways to encouraging young girls to explore and embrace digital professions.
Why is this a good practice?
In essence, the Women in ICT Focus Group goes beyond the conventional boundaries of a discussion forum; it is a catalyst for change and a building block for initiatives that are not only theoretical, but translate into actionable strategies. By addressing gender-related challenges head-on and pro-actively sharing policies, this focus group stands as a beacon in the realm of IT empowerment, simplifying the eSkills Malta Foundation’s unwavering commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable digital landscape.
