This is not a conference for women in tech, or technical women, it is in fact completely the opposite. Here’s the relevant quote:

“After the huge success of our first Women on the Web Conference in September 2008, we’ve talked to many women in business and you’ve told us that you want:

* An absolute beginners guide to the various tools and techniques on offer.

* Offered in bite-size chunks.

* In clear English, and making good business sense.

* A variety of tools and techniques so you can pick and choose what’s of interest to you and your business.”

It’s a conference to help women who are completely new to the Web get to grips with it in order to run their own businesses, and have a better chance of success. And if men find themselves in the same boat they are very welcome too.

Also, if any of you more web-enlightened folks - of any gender - can spare some time on Monday 30th March, or on any Tuesday to help out with some seminars and masterclasses. That would be fab.

Everything we do is during school hours so that those with childcare responsibilities are able to attend, and priced to cover costs.

Hopefully the discussion may lead to improvements made in our industry where the gender percentages are equalised a bit. I still believe that other in population Women are truly equal in our industry, as is any other minority be it Black, Gay or Disabled to name only a few. It is true I base this on my personal opinions and there are still racists and sexists around but their antiquated views should not be seen as justification for dividing our community.

In such a young, global and hopefully forward thinking industry there should be no place for these things.

It’s interesting what you say about banter in the office - it’s been commented that this is exactly what can make it uncomfortable for women to work there. What you describe is exactly what I’ve experienced…men talking about women all day and being completely honest, it has gone too far a couple of times but I put it down to immaturity on the part of the bloke involved. I think you find this anywhere, not just in tech, because some men simply are really sexist. The vast majority however aren’t!

I agree with what you say about positive discrimination - if women want equality - and we do - we should settle for equality and not demand even more. But then, I think men should get the same paternity leave as women, etc etc…

Unfortunately women aren’t treated equally which is why a male typically attracts a higher salary than an equally qualified and experienced female. Aside from the salary expectations there is the threat of sexual harassment (perhaps perceived as flirting by some) and discrimination from an office full of ‘red blooded males’.

Could the reason that no women have been employed at your office (other than your boss) be due to the risk of employing a female? WIth the potential flirting and crude banter that you suggest happens in your office, your employee would be treading on egg shells in case of a law suit against them.

If conferences like Women on the Web encourage females to pursue a career in the web industry and it allows them to overcome the fear of them being the only ‘ones’ then I see it as being a good thing.

I find this whole thing over women in tech ridiculous. One of the major reason I gave up trying to get into IT 3 years ago was down to *one* stupid male tutor at college who didn’t want girls in his classes. Because of the mental health problems he caused I didn’t even try to finish my Computing A-level, but pushed on with my career in Photography.

Since then I’ve not shied away from the tech community - my other half is a web dev, most of my friends work in the industry and I go to GeekUp Manc practically ever month. I’ve still to see what GGD are like, so I can’t really talk about it as a good or a bad thing other than in theory.

The theory of a woman’s only conference worries me - having spent so long trying to get equality to then say “no, you men aren’t pleasant enough to us” or that their POV aren’t needed as they can’t bare children - that just seem Wrong.

Well that’s my 2cent about it,
Cat

Of course being red blooded males we would like some more women around, not just for the obvious reasons of having some extra pretty faces and to flirt a bit

Not all women have pretty faces. And not all women are interested in men. And not all women want to be flirted with in the workplace.

And with 13 men in your office, the statistics are against your idea that they are all “red blooded males”, as you put it.

For well over a century women have fought for equality, and achieved it. The same goes for the African American population, hello President Obama, and a number of other minorities.

If you think women have achieved equality, I think you’re just not paying attention. And the idea that African Americans are now magically equal because of Obama, is frankly laughable.