In a moving Vanity Fair op-ed, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki argues that Silicon Valley, and the tech world at large, needs to make gender equality in the workplace an urgent — and individual — priority.
Wojcicki points out that gender discrimination in the tech industry comes in many forms, from the stories that make headlines to the pervasive, subtle forms like being talked over by a male coworker or having to work twice as hard (often for less money) for the same recognition.
Despite the ample amounts of research highlighting how diversity can lead to increased productivity and economic performance for companies, the narrative of gender discrimination in tech has largely remained the same. The good news is that there are solutions, including two Wojcicki points to: employing and empowering more women in tech jobs at all levels throughout a company.
Wojcicki’s personal success is a testament to how women can be just as influential in tech as men if they’re given the same tools to succeed. “I’ve worked in tech for nearly 25 years. I love this industry and know how fulfilling it can be,” Wojcicki told Thrive Global in an exclusive statement over email. “I want more women to find a home in tech, but I know just how challenging it can be for them. Unless CEO’s make it their personal responsibility to hire more women and create a supportive work environment for a diverse workforce, the bad headlines will continue.”
Read the Wojcicki’s entire Vanity Fair op-ed here.
Originally published at medium.com