Women in Tech: “It’s still essential to celebrate and encourage more women to join the industry”

As Women’s Day approaches, Sirin Aktas, CIO and Executive Committee Member at Edenred Turkey talks to CIO Middle East shining a light on the critical role of women in technology.

Q. First of all, how are you?

A. I am doing great.

Q. Sirin, for those who don’t know you, let us know more about you, why did you decide to work in technology?

A. I was one of those kids interested in science and math at school. Even though chances are those classes aren’t enough to instil a lifelong interest in science and engineering for most kids, I was lucky with my father’s job as a technician to foster a greater love of exploration in engineering. With my father’s help, I benefited from more hands-on, self-directed activities outside the class so the subjects became recreational rather than a chore. As a result, I discovered that technology inspires and drives the way the world functions and lives, and that became my passion. I decided to study computer engineering to have the opportunity to contribute to positive impacts on the world at large.

Q. Was it difficult at the beginning?

A. I started as a Network Engineer where women are the least represented amongst the other Computer Engineering fields: 90,6% of network engineers are male. This was not a typical office job; it required working in the field, in the system rooms and typically working in shifts. An incident response could be required at any hour, and it was a lot of accountability as I was working for a bank where we had zero tolerance for downtime. On the other hand, it was rewarding both professionally and personally. It was a fast-paced and ever-changing field, which could make it exciting and challenging at the same time.

Statistics say that  41% of women working in tech eventually end up leaving the field. I didn’t! I accepted all the challenges, and embarked on 25 years so far!

Q. Looking back on your career, what one thing would you have changed in your working environment to break the bias?

A. Looking back on my career, I have no regret about my choices by upfronting any kind of challenges which are so-called not suitable for women! It started with a job in a male-dominated field as a Network Engineer, having two kids but still working, asking for promotions when I felt the glass ceiling, enriching my career and learning with some external roles like being an angel investor.

Q. How much do you think the industry has changed since you joined?

A. For 25 years, I was one of the relentless ambassadors of diversity and inclusion for more women in tech. Things changed and we took deliberate, necessary action to create more inclusive working practices like employment, payment, and leadership gaps. The gap is not down to zero, yet; but I fought with all the hard truths of an uphill battle so far.

Q. Why do you think it’s important for more women to join the tech industry?

A. Even though the tech industry is growing very fast and there is a need for more workforce, there is still an underrepresentation of women. As Forbes said, “will become a fundamental economic challenge for the economy if unaddressed.” “It is essential for companies to become more equal. It is a requirement for being attractive to both customers and employees. Diversity of gender leads to innovation, better results, better engagement, increased workplace safety and office culture.

Q. Do you think enough is done to help women get into the tech industry?

A. Not yet. It’s still essential to celebrate and encourage more women to join the industry. Also, we need more tech thought leaders visible by sharing their blogs and social posts. We need to see more senior ladies finding opportunities to share their knowledge and insights through presentations, articles, and other mediums to become influential tech thought leaders. 

Q. What would you say to young women who want to work in tech?

A. I would say for them to follow their passion and pursue what genuinely excites them in tech. Be brave, be curious and go for it!