"Cyberella is fluent in the uses of technology, comfortable using and designing computer technology, and working in virtual spaces.
Cinderella works in the basement of the knowledge society with little opportunity to reap its benefits.
These are the definitions taken from Nancy Hafkin and Sophia Huyer’s book Cinderella or Cyberella: Empowering Women in the Knowledge Society, a collection of essays underlining the potential relationship between information technology and women’s opportunities, rights and welfare."
Today, I begin some thematic posts about 'Gender Equality and IT until March 7, the 'International Women's Day 2011'.
We are in the XXI Century! It's time to moving ahead for gender equality on IT. The European Commission decided to do something about the lack of women in IT careers since .
This first post is about the book Cinderella or Cyberella? by Nancy Hafkin & Sophia Huyer. It has been used by Viviane Reding, EU's Commissioner for Information Society and Media, to promote Cyberellas are IT the EU campaign aimed to increase the number of women in ICT celebrating 'International Women's Day 2009'.
The European Union’s Commissioner for Information Society and Media, Viviane Reding, has used the “cyberella” concept to promote a new EU campaign called “Cyberellas are IT!”. The campaign aims to increase the number of women in the ICT sector in the EU. Encouraging women to develop their ICT skills and become “cyberellas” will help deal with Europe’s shortage in this sector as well as its ageing workforce, falling birth rates and skills shortages in general.
The Conference "Cyberellas are IT!" took place on the 3rd March 2009 to celebrate International Women's Day.
The Conference "Cyberellas are IT!" took place on the 3rd March 2009 to celebrate International Women's Day.
Here is an extract from Viviane Reding's speech:
“Unlike her great-grandmother, Cinderella – a woman with meagre prospects, whose story had a fairy-tale ending only thanks to a magic wand – Cyberella is a woman with a science or engineering degree, on her way to a decision making position in industry or in government and well-placed not only to benefit fully from the advantages of the Information Society, but also to take part in the design and production of technology. Also unlike Cinderella, who was unique, we can hope to see many Cyberellas – indeed the more the better. Cyberellas exist today, but how to ensure that we have more in the future? Some of you present today may recognise yourselves in this description! But there are not enough of you. We simply need more Cyberellas to have a happy end to Europe's problems of an ageing workforce, falling birth rates and skills shortages. A Cyberella will be able to contribute to the design and production of tomorrow's technologies and communication networks. She will thereby be able to have a strong impact on shaping Europe's economic and societal future."
G-Souto
21.02.2011
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