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Girls In Tech Launches Australian Chapter In Melbourne

08 September 2016

Victoria is ramping up support for girls and women in the digital technology sector, with the launch of Girls in Tech AustraliaExternal Link alongside its major supporting partner REA Group – parent company of realestate.com.auExternal Link .

Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis officially launched the Australian chapter of Girls in Tech in Melbourne last night.

Women represent just 20 per of Australia’s digital technology workforce, with nearly a third of female digital technology workers leaving the sector within 10-15 years of service.

This is well below the participation rate of women in other industries such as finance and insurance (27 per cent) and women in Australia’s workforce (46 per cent). Only 14 per cent of digital technology graduates are females.

Collaborative networks like Girls in Tech will drive lasting change in the industry – providing the support women and girls need to drive digital technologies and the economy.

Girls in Tech Australia will be headed up by co-Managing Directors Susan Brown, Head of Strategy and Consulting at Odecee and Meegan Jia-Good, founder of event design company The Good Event Company.

Susan and Meegan will be supported by Girls in Tech Australia’s female advisory board from companies including REA Group, Slack, Data Creative, Milk It Academy, Launchcode PR, Blue Chilli, Brolly, Weave Web Communications and General Assembly.

Founded in 2007 by Adriana Gascoigne in San Francisco, Girls in Tech is a global non-profit organisation focused on engagement, education and empowerment of women in digital technology.

The Andrews Labor Government is leading the way when it comes to gender diversity, requiring all government boards to be made up of at least 50 per cent women.

Earlier this year the LaunchVic Board became the first in the country’s tech space to appoint more women than men to its board, with 54 per cent representation.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade Philip Dalidakis

“Girls in Tech will play a leading role in helping to address the gender imbalance in Australia’s digital technology sector by empowering girls and women to cultivate ideas and learn new skills to advance their careers.”

“If we want to become the number one tech destination across the Asia Pacific, the industry needs to step-up and create more opportunities for girls and women.”

Quotes attributable to Girls in Tech Australia Managing Director Susan Brown

“We are excited to be launching this Australian Chapter of Girls in Tech here in Melbourne.”

“Our vision is to accelerate the growth of Australian women in technology, innovation and startups by working closely with the technology industry and supporting the collaboration and success of women in technology and entrepreneurship.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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