The Role of Women in Shaping the Future of Technology: Challenges and Opportunities

Authors

  • Tamanna Quraishi Computer Science Faculty, University of the People, United State of America
  • Sajeda Mohammad Midwifery Faculty, Khatam Al Nabian University, Baghlan, Afghanistan
  • Sheeba Raufi Pharmacy Faculty, Kaboora Institute of Higher Education, Kabul, Afghanistan
  • Fatima Naimi Rosh High School, Kabul, Afghanistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59535/sehati.v2i4.367

Keywords:

Women in Technology, Gender Bias, Mentorship Programs, Female Entrepreneurship, Educational Barriers

Abstract

The role of women in shaping the future of technology has become a critical area of focus in recent years, with efforts aimed at addressing gender disparities and promoting inclusivity in tech fields. The research examines educational barriers, workplace gender biases, mentorship programs, and the impact of female entrepreneurship on innovation within the technology sector. A quantitative research design was employed, utilizing a survey with 120 participants from four faculties—Medical, Computer Science, Social Science, and Education—across different age groups. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics to uncover patterns and insights. The results indicate that educational barriers, such as the lack of encouragement for women in STEM fields, remain a significant challenge. Gender biases in the workplace were also found to negatively affect career advancement opportunities for women in technology, with participants reporting substantial concerns regarding systemic discrimination. However, mentorship programs were seen as highly effective in encouraging women to pursue careers in technology, and female entrepreneurship was perceived as having a notable impact on innovation within the sector. The findings suggest that while challenges persist, there are emerging opportunities to enhance women’s contributions to technology, particularly through education, mentorship, and support for female entrepreneurs. In conclusion, the study emphasizes the need for continued efforts to address gender inequality in technology fields, with a focus on fostering supportive environments that enable women to thrive in the industry.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

. A. Cornwall, "Women's empowerment: What works?," Journal of International Development, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 342–359, 2016. [Online]. Available: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/jid.3210

. M. T. Wang and J. L. Degol, "Gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM): Current knowledge, implications for practice, policy, and future directions," Educational Psychology Review, vol. 29, pp. 119–140, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-015-9355-x

. S. A. A. Rizvi, M. A. Qureshi, and J. Ansari, "Exploring the role of women entrepreneurial startups in shaping a sustainable future," Discover Sustainability, vol. 5, no. 1, p. 264, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-024-00482-1

. H. Aladsani, A. Al-Abdullatif, M. Almuhanna, and A. Gameil, "Ethnographic reflections of K–12 distance education in Saudi Arabia: Shaping the future of post-pandemic digital education," Sustainability, vol. 14, no. 16, p. 9931, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14169931

. T. Quraishi et al., "Integration of mobile learning technologies in Afghanistan universities: Opportunities and challenges," Education Specialist, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1–14, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.59535/es.v2i1.227

. T. Quraishi, H. Ulusi, A. Muhid, M. Hakimi, and M. R. Olusi, "Empowering students through digital literacy: A case study of successful integration in a higher education curriculum," Journal of Digital Learning and Distance Education, vol. 2, no. 9, pp. 667–681, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.56778/jdlde.v2i8.208

. M. Hakimi, H. Bahraam, A. K. Shahidzay, and S. N. Sadaat, "Examining the developing influence of emerging technologies in the media sector of Afghanistan," Studies in Media, Journalism and Communications, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 01–12, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.32996/smjc.2024.2.1.1

. H. Shahbazi et al., "Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on women's empowerment: A comprehensive survey," EDUTREND: Journal of Emerging Issues and Trends in Education, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 108–120, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.59110/edutrend.333

. R. Mohideen and R. Evans, "Shaping our technological futures," IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, vol. 34, no. 4, pp. 83–86, 2015. [Online]. Available: https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/7360322

. H. Gillard, D. Howcroft, N. Mitev, and H. Richardson, "“Missing women”: Gender, ICTs, and the shaping of the global economy," Information Technology for Development, vol. 14, no. 4, pp. 262–279, 2008. [Online]. Available: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1002/itdj.20098

. D. Howcroft and P. Taylor, "Automation and the future of work: A social shaping of technology approach," New Technology, Work and Employment, vol. 38, no. 2, pp. 351–370, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ntwe.12240

. A. Stephen et al., "Technology and its role in shaping the future of work-life balance," Educational Administration: Theory and Practice, vol. 30, no. 5, pp. 1045–1053, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://kuey.net/index.php/kuey/article/view/3005

. G. Verschraegen and F. Vandermoere, "Introduction: Shaping the future through imaginaries of science, technology, and society," in Imagined Futures in Science, Technology and Society, Routledge, pp. 1–11, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/

. J. I. L. Chan and D. A. Sapuan, "Shaping the future for a sustainable world: Perspectives of women leaders from Commonwealth open learning institutions," Advancing Women in Leadership Journal, vol. 42, pp. 72–79, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://awl-ojs-tamu.tdl.org/awl/article/view/446

. V. Parmar, D. Keyson, and C. De Bont, "Persuasive technology to shape social beliefs: A case of persuasive health information systems for rural women in India," Communications of the Association for Information Systems, vol. 24, no. 1, p. 25, 2009. [Online]. Available: https://aisel.aisnet.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3421&context=cais

. R. Hay and P. Pearce, "Technology adoption by rural women in Queensland, Australia: Women driving technology from the homestead for the paddock," Journal of Rural Studies, vol. 36, pp. 318–327, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2014.10.002

. F. Shirazi, "Information and communication technology and women empowerment in Iran," Telematics and Informatics, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 45–55, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2011.02.001

. R. Rapp, "Moral pioneers: Women, men, and fetuses on a frontier of reproductive technology," in Embryos, Ethics, and Women's Rights, Routledge, pp. 101–116, 2014.

. L. Howe-Walsh and S. Turnbull, "Barriers to women leaders in academia: Tales from science and technology," Studies in Higher Education, vol. 41, no. 3, pp. 415–428, 2016.

. A. T. Wynn and S. J. Correll, "Puncturing the pipeline: Do technology companies alienate women in recruiting sessions?," Social Studies of Science, vol. 48, no. 1, pp. 149–164, 2018. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.1177/0306312718756766

. U. Klinger and J. Svensson, "The power of code: Women and the making of the digital world," in Women in the Digital World, Routledge, pp. 84–99, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/oa-edit/10.4324/9781003375937-6

. U. D. Upadhyay et al., "Women's empowerment and fertility: A review of the literature," Social Science & Medicine, vol. 115, pp. 111–120, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953614003736

. T. Quraishi, B. M. Bayani, S. Yashar, M. Daudzai, R. Salamzada, M. Amini, and M. Hakimi, "Integration of Mobile Learning Technologies in Afghanistan Universities: Opportunities and Challenges," Education Specialist, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 1-14, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.59535/es.v2i1.227.

. M. Hakimi, H. Bahraam, A. K. Shahidzay, and S. N. Sadaat, "Examining the developing influence of emerging technologies in the media sector of Afghanistan," Studies in Media, Journalism and Communications, vol. 2, no. 1, pp. 01-12, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://doi.org/10.32996/smjc.2024.2.1.1.

Downloads

Published

2024-12-03

How to Cite

[1]
Tamanna Quraishi, Sajeda Mohammad, Sheeba Raufi, and Fatima Naimi, “The Role of Women in Shaping the Future of Technology: Challenges and Opportunities”, Soc. Econ. Hum. Aspects Town. Ind., vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 604–614, Dec. 2024.