Close the gap and everyone’s a winner

Tēnā koe Readers

We have all heard of the gender pay gap. But have you heard of the awards gender gap? Yes it’s real.

In this newsletter we share a number of awards happening not only in New Zealand, but globally. Yet we don’t see enough entries from women. I get it, we are often busy with work, this isn’t top of mind, then there’s the ‘imposter syndrome’ and the hundreds of doubts thought when putting yourself or your business forward for these awards.

It is equally important for women to put themselves up for the right awards AND to nominate amazing women you know for these awards. We need to hear their stories.

Practical tips? Check the guidelines, the criteria, which are the most suitable awards?, ask for endorsements where you need them – and go for it!

As Sheryl Sandberg (COO Facebook) says, “what would you do if you were not afraid?”

If anything, being a finalist or winning awards can be a great personal branding or PR opportunity. It also helps women’s voices to be heard, their stories told – ultimately inspiring the next generation of female leaders in STEAM.

So attend them, enter them, and nominate your peers for them. And if any of you have daughters who are showing leadership abilities, do put them up for the Girlboss Awards.

Lastly, I would like to introduce myself. I’ve been involved with TechWomen for a number of years as a committee member. After spending more than five years helping to build a global start up from Auckland, and supporting our innovation ecosystem in various roles, I decided to get closer to my values of empowering women in STEAM, and up-level myself by taking on the TechWomen co-chair role with Eva this year. Our committee is made up of a diverse team of men and women with broad ethnicities and experiences. This is beneficial in driving change through our upcoming initiatives to connect, promote and advance women in technology across New Zealand.

I would love to hear directly from our members on how we can help drive this change and how we can improve TechWomen to serve and support you better. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime – on email or connect with me on Linkedin, Twitter.

Ngā mihi,

Dil Khosa
Co-Chair
TechWomen

Workforce: Inclusion and Diversity

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One for the Game of Thrones fans, if Ser Brienne of Tarth could nominate herself for an Emmy, and get accepted, then we can do it too!