International Women’s Rights Day: a non-event at JEMS?

What is International Women’s Rights Day?

March 8 is International Women’s Rights Day. It all started with women’s demonstrations in several countries, especially in the United States, to demand better working conditions, the right to vote, etc. Then, on March 8, 1977, the UN made official the International Day for Women’s Rights.

This day is an opportunity to promote the struggle for women’s rights and in particular for the respect of equal treatment between women and men. The celebration of International Women’s Rights Day raises awareness of the obstacles women continue to face, including gender-based violence, unequal pay, limited access to education and health care, and under-representation in leadership positions. This day is a way to also recognize the contributions and achievements of women in various fields, including computer science.

Where are we today?

• In the world:
  0 countries have achieved gender equality to date (It would take 100 years to achieve it)
• In France:
  – only 1 out of 5 mayors is a woman
  – 99% of women say they have been victims of a sexist act or behavior

How is data relevant to International Women’s Rights Day?

Because we know that algorithms are gendered! Just look at what is said on the internet about the ethics of algo’s:

• When algorithms reproduce sexist stereotypes – https://www.rtbf.be/article/quand-les-algorithmes-reproduisent-les-stereotypes-sexistes-10334932

• Artificial intelligence, not without them! – https://iapassanselles.wixsite.com/presentation

• Less than 5% of women in artificial intelligence – https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinfo/podcasts/c-est-mon-boulot/moins-de-5-de-femmes-dans-l-intelligence-artificielle-9039066
• Digital: “The presence of women will bring a plurality of thoughts to the teams” – https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceinter/numerique-la-presence-des-femmes-apportera-une-pluralite-de-pensees-dans-les-equipes-7826677

What does JEMS do?

For several years, we have been working to make gender equality a stronger commitment than ever. In 2023, our actions enabled us to achieve an EGAPRO score of 94/100. We raise awareness and train our employees to make gender equality effective and real in their daily professional and personal lives.

The IT sector is strongly impacted by gender inequality; only 24% of women are engineers in this sector. JEMS is aware of this inequality but does not apply it in its practices. All female employees at JEMS are considered equal to male employees with equal promotions and raises.

This day of struggle for women’s rights should not exist; women should not have one day of prominence in the year; women should not have to struggle to get what men have of rights; women should be women without having to worry about not being equal to men. It is with this way of thinking and acting that we move forward at JEMS.

Over the past 10 years, women’s exclusion from the digital world has also meant a loss of about $1 trillion to the GDP of low- and middle-income countries – a loss that, if left unchecked, could reach $1.5 trillion by 2025.

Investing in women benefits all people, communities and countries.

At JEMS, we don’t need a day to honor the women who make up our daily lives and bring us so much value. Together, we can create a more just society by working together to build a more inclusive and prosperous society for women, girls, men and boys around the world.