NT Conference 2024: Men as Hunters, Women as Gatherers – Always, Everywhere, and Even in IT. Myth or Misconception?

Do we still believe that men are hunters and women gatherers? This outdated myth serves as a metaphor for the biases that continue to influence many workplaces, particularly in IT. How do these ingrained beliefs impact women’s entry, persistence, and advancement in the tech industry?

Despite modern efforts toward equality and diversity, many gender stereotypes remain unacknowledged or even unseen. How do these invisible biases contribute to the "glass ceiling" for women in IT? And what happens when these biases intersect, creating layers of discrimination?

At the Docentric panel discussion during the NT Conference, we heard personal stories and challenges from successful professionals and discussed the evolving role of women in technology.

Participants

✔️ Svjetlana Kalaba, CEO, Director of Business Unit Broadband, Kontron
✔️ Biserka Cvetkovska, General Manager, Tretton37
✔️ Irena Vujčić Pavlović, Marketing Lead, Docentric
✔️ Jure Leskovec, Co-founder and CEO, Docentric
Moderator: Ana Gligorijević, Co-founder and CEO, Docentric, Software Developer, and Product Owner

How can we foster truly inclusive and fair work environments in IT?

As our moderator, Ana Gligorijević expressed it:

"Women should live and work as if they are completely equal with men, even though they are not yet fully equal in practice. And they should wholeheartedly believe they have every right to do so! They need support—from systems, media, education, and initiatives like this—to thrive in all fields." 🌟

🙋‍♀️ Women in IT are not just the exception.

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Breaking the Myth of the Hunter and Gatherer

The panel addressed the persistent myth of gender roles: men as "hunters" and women as "gatherers." Irena Vujčić Pavlović highlighted modern research debunking this with DNA evidence, such as in a 9,000-year-old Andes burial, proving that women were hunters too and hunting was not exclusively a male activity.

Despite such evidence, the outdated stereotype of men assuming leadership roles while women take on supportive, nurturing ones continues to underpin modern workplace biases, even in the IT field.

Gender Gaps in Education: A Barrier from the Start

Jure Leskovec reflected on his personal experiences, noting that he rarely had female classmates from high school onward. He found himself in male-dominated environments in both his technical high school and electronics studies at university. This common experience in tech fields highlights a key root cause of gender disparity in IT.

When women are underrepresented in educational settings, it becomes harder for them to envision themselves in technical roles later in life.

North Macedonia: A Different Experience

In contrast, Biserka Cvetkovska shared a different perspective. During her time in North Macedonia, the gender ratio at her university was evenly split—something quite uncommon in tech. However, she noticed a stark difference upon moving to Slovenia, often finding herself the only woman in meetings or technical discussions. Adjusting to this new environment wasn’t easy, and Biserka candidly discussed the feelings of imposter syndrome that many women experience in male-dominated fields.

Over time, Biserka learned to embrace her unique perspective as a strength, but her story illustrates the importance of creating inclusive environments that support women from the start.

Empowering Women in Technical Leadership

Svjetlana Kalaba highlighted her experience in leading a technical division within a global tech company. With a background in electrical engineering, Svjetlana discussed the importance of diversity in technical roles and leadership.

She stressed that fostering an inclusive work culture is essential for allowing women to excel in fields traditionally dominated by men. 'It’s about making space for different perspectives and ensuring that women are not just present but are empowered to lead and innovate,' she emphasized.

The Media and Gender Bias in Tech Leadership

Both Ana Gligorijević and Irena Vujčić Pavlović emphasized the role media plays in perpetuating stereotypes. A simple image search for terms like "tech CEO," "entrepreneur," or "leader" will yield mostly male images. Women appear in search results when you add "female" before these titles. This bias in media representation reinforces the stereotype that tech leadership is primarily a male role, making it even harder for women to break through and take on leadership positions.

By continuing to portray leadership as inherently male, we limit the diversity of role models for future generations of women in tech.

Breaking the Glass Ceiling: The Path Forward

The panelists emphasized that overcoming deeply rooted gender stereotypes in IT requires a collective effort to create supportive environments for women in education and the workplace. Only by doing so can we inspire future generations to pursue careers in technology free from the constraints of outdated myths.