To celebrate International Women's Day, we've had a chat with the incredible women at Digital Waffle, gaining insights into what this day signifies for them and celebrating the remarkable contributions they make every day.
How important is it to increase the presence of women in leadership roles within the recruitment industry?
"Extremely important. How can we expect wider gender equality in the workplace, across all industries, if the people doing the recruiting are exclusively men. I also think that as more and more women enter into the recruitment world, the old stereotypes (think Wolf of Wall Street) are slowly being eradicated. This is a good thing."
Tor Clarkson:
"Incredibly important! The world is slowly working towards a balance but until that is achieved it is so important to encourage women to go for these senior roles. There are women-only recruitment agencies and female recruiting founders which is incredibly inspiring to people like myself who have only been in the industry for 1/2 years."
"I think it is super important! If we are meant to be actioning diversity and inclusion when hiring, this needs to be done by a diverse group of recruiters! It seems contradictory to promote diversity and inclusion in hiring while having this task led by a narrow demographic. To truly embrace diversity, we should ensure a variety of perspectives among those responsible for recruitment."
"It is really important for women to ‘have a seat at the table’. It is archaic to have a male-dominated environment, although unfortunately it is still the case in a lot of businesses, women represent women, who represent strength, intellect and ambition."
"More important than ever! I think that a massive shift is happening, especially within tech. More women are trying to break through into the industry, which means it is of paramount importance that everyone gets a fair shot."
"I think having female representation is so important as it paves the way for other women to follow in their footsteps, for instance, my best friend’s mum has climbed her way to the top of a recruitment firm which has inspired me to strive to do the same. The only difference is that she didn’t have anyone to show her that it was possible (in a heavily male dominated recruitment world in the 00’s), where as I do in 2024."
"Very Important - there is no reason why men should be seen as better recruiters than females. So, it’s crucial that more women hold leadership positions in recruitment. Gender diversity enhances hiring processes, leads to a more successful and inclusive industry, and offers insightful perspectives."
How important do you think it is to champion women in tech and make sure they are given equal opportunities?
"This is something I am really passionate about. In a recent survey by Tech nation, only 26% of the tech workforce are women, and 77% of all directors in tech are men. If we start now, then younger girls will be able to grow up & see that they do have the capability to reach the top. It’s all about showing people that women are more than capable, given the chance."
Tor Clarkson:
"With the right opportunities and encouragement, there is no reason that women can’t claim their place in this industry. We need to normalise women in tech by removing the stigma that it is a male industry - there is no such thing!"
"I think it is important that we try and get more women into tech roles and to grow into senior positions. It proves that women can do these same high-salary jobs that men, traditionally, are known for doing. Even though, traditionally, these are male-dominant roles, women should be given equal chances and opportunities to thrive in these roles, as they can bring diverse characteristics and ideas compared to men."
"We need to advocate for women in tech and get them in the space as much as possible, we don’t want women not taking on an opportunity for fear of not fitting in, it has to be a safe space that they feel empowered to enter into."
"Women bring unique perspectives, talents, and skills to the table, enriching the industry. By actively championing women in tech and providing them with equal opportunities, we can foster a more inclusive and diverse workforce!"
"In regards to my own market, roughly 74-78% of the global AI workforce is men, and so it is so refreshing to see so many women breaking through in this space, as well as women championing each other’s successes. One of my favourite memories in my recruitment career has been placing a woman in a Head of Automation role, where she beat 4 other (male) applicants to the post."
"It is SO important to make sure women are given equal opportunities in the tech space. It helps break down gender barriers, brings diverse perspectives to problem-solving, and contributes to a more inclusive and dynamic tech industry."
What kind of influence do you strive to have on your female colleagues around you and the wider business?
"I want them to know they are smart, capable and that their gender has no weighting on how successful they can be. As a senior member of the team, I want all of my wonderful female colleagues to know that I would do anything to champion them, and I will always call out any form of sexism and misogyny. Wider business wise, I’m grateful for my seat at the table, and to be a consistent voice in male dominated meetings, giving a varied viewpoint that might not have been heard otherwise."
Tor Clarkson:
"I would love to be a positive influence to all women considering entering the industry as well as my colleagues. We are lucky to work for a company like Digital Waffle that doesn’t consider gender at all, it’s all based on skills. We need to influence more of this across our industry and other industries with a similar stigma. I also apply this when working and sending CVs to clients; women should never lose an opportunity purely for gender."
"I always want to influence female colleagues to remember how intellectual they are and how us girls all stick together! I want to be the kind of person they can come to with either work assistance or personal issues, so that we can chat about it and I can give my advice on the matter. In the wider business, I put in my best effort to show that, as a female, I am a really hard worker who can achieve top results!"
"I want to influence women around me to speak up for themselves and just act in a way that is (respectful) but also authentic to their feelings."
"Ultimately, my goal is to be a positive force for change, inspiring others to embrace diversity, challenge biases. I want to champion an inclusive work environment for women and all underrepresented groups. Be the change you want to see!"
"I hope to have a positive impact on my female colleagues. We have a very strong female bond which is built on our shared trials and tribulations that we sit and trade every lunch time. I would say that my influence is hopefully not caring about what people think about you. The girls at Digital Waffle are all very individual which is amazing - as it allows us to all learn from each other and embrace our little quirks. Why would you want to be the same as everybody else!?"
"By building an inclusive and encouraging workplace, I hope to empower and positively impact my female coworkers. A more empowering and thriving workplace for women is achieved through encouraging collaboration and identifying and celebrating their accomplishments."
International Women’s Day is all about championing gender equality in our modern society. What does it mean to you?
"Everything! It means celebrating women everywhere. Single mothers that work tirelessly to provide for their kids, women that have female health issues and still show up every day. Girls that have had to shout twice as loud as their male counterparts to be heard. It’s your wives, your girlfriends, your sisters, your mothers, your aunts and your friends. But it’s important that we are recognised as much more than just accessories to men. We are also your CEO’s, your Managers, your Directors and your capable colleagues. This is a day that occurs just once a year, to bring that to your attention. Listen and learn."
Tor Clarkson:
"I think addressing gender equality is the first step, and knowing, even though we are much closer to this than we have been in the past, that we are not quite there. I studied STEM subjects in school and was always encouraged to take part in ‘women in tech’ initiatives. I think if we can offer more of these at a younger age to girls with an interest in STEM, the stigma will eventually disappear."
"I think is about empowering women and teach others about the importance of equality. I feel like society, women included, is still quite naive to issues around women, such as the gender pay gap. So, the more attention that circulates around IWD every year, the more beneficial it will be for teaching about statistics, facts, and ways for all to improve!"
"Championing gender equality in modern society is celebrating and supporting women in order to get to a place where men and women are truly valued, treated and seen as equals."
"Gender equality is not just about ensuring that women have the same opportunities and rights as men; it's about creating a world where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive and reach their full potential. It's about breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and stripping inequalities that hold people back based on their gender."
"It’s an opportunity to remember all of those women before us, such as Emmeline Pankhurst and Harriet Jacobs, who fought their own battles against gender inequality, and have paved the way for us to do the same in our lives, albeit very different battles in the 21st century! Our battle including equal pay for men and women and the blatant female under-representation in civic and business leadership."
"It symbolises a commitment to progress and uphold gender equality in today's society. A day to celebrate women's achievements, recognise challenges they face, and advocate for their equality in all aspects of life. It serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts needed for a society where everyone can thrive without bias."
So, to all the amazing women in our network: Keep conquering, keep inspiring and keep leading the way. Your impact is felt far and wide. Happy International Women's Day!
.png)
%20-%20Why%20it%20matters%20&%20how%20to%20improve%20yours.png)