Razorfish addresses digital industry gender issues with major national program launch

Razorfish has launched Women in Technology, a comprehensive and innovative program designed to address the gender imbalance in the tech and digital industry by nurturing, educating and providing employment opportunities for women.

Women in Technology will push for a culture change in the industry and includes high school programs, workshops, industry panels, bootcamps, roadshows, events and sponsorships.

It also encompasses the more experienced end of the market with those in senior and managing roles also targeted to benefit from the program.

A successful workshop has already taken place at Razorfish Sydney in collaboration with The Mountain View College.

Next week on August 5, Women in Technology teams up with the multinational education and training company General Assembly and will hold the panel “Shaking up the tech world” – addressing the gender gap in the technology industry.

Says Doug Chapman, Razorfish managing director: “Everyone needs support and insights to grow their careers, and we believe the lack of women in our industry is a grassroots issue that we can address in real, practical ways.”

Razorfish’s award-winning creative director/head of design Ina Behrendt (pictured) is driving the program. An educator and advocate for women in technology, Behrendt also teaches with Miami Ad School as well as Cannes Cyber Lion classes.

Says Chapman: “It’s important to give women more confidence and opportunities in the industry, particularly when it comes to knowing how to advance their careers.”

The key pillars of the program are education and employment with young women in high school and tertiary institutions exposed to panels, experts, workshops and mentors.

Internships and grad programs are a core part of the program as is collaborating with other like-minded organisations and groups like GirlsGeek, Miami Ad School and the University of Sydney.

Continues Chapman: “We have a growing industry and Australia is perfectly placed to consciously build our tech eco-system.”

Anyone interested in becoming a part of Women in Technology or attending events, please contact Ina Behrendt at Razorfish at ina.behrendt@razorfish.com.au.