Diversity

Is the number of women in the world of innovation way too low indeed?

23 June 2021

As the original texts are written in Turkish, English translation is provided for non-Turkish readers. The author apologizes in advance for any and all possible changes and losses in meaning due to translation.

The number of women who achieve unique accomplishments is as low as it seems, neither in the world of innovation nor in the business world. Although we still have a long way to go until we fully establish gender equality, there are many women who develop important ideas and projects that our world needs and improve life through their unique perspectives. And fortunately, the number of such women is increasing.

The problem here is that the success of women leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators is not sufficiently recognized and expressed. We do not know who they are because the necessary change in this regard has not yet taken place in male-dominated sectors and platforms. Today, we still hear only male voices in many platforms and meetings. However, this is not because women in those platforms or meetings have nothing to say but because they are often not included in them.

I recently read an article titled “Where are all the women innovators? Here’s a start”* on the website of McKinsey. On the purpose of pointing out this matter, the article takes as a starting point the question of why women are underrepresented or not represented at all on “the most” lists of the business world, such as “The 100 Most Innovative Leaders.” When the online research conducted by the authors to create a list of today’s female innovators brought forth more women who made a difference in the past than today, they decided to initiate their own survey to find them. Through this survey, they started compiling a list that introduces female innovators from many different cultures, areas of expertise, lines of business, and impressive works. Some of the female innovators who are included in this highly diverse list have already made significant contributions to the business world, while some others need to wait for their innovations and contributions to be understood and recognized, and it is stated that the remaining ones who wish to make a big social change impact will need to wait through a somewhat lengthier process.

I am thoroughly bothered by observing male-female inequality. We have to put an end to this injustice. It is already time. Male-female equality and diversity make life richer and add value to it. Such efforts should not be seen as mere social responsibility projects; they constitute one of the primary conditions of building a better world for all of us. No platform or place that lacks diversity or where women are not included under equal terms as men can be considered good, useful, or successful enough. We should not remain silent in platforms that do not exercise due diligence to this matter or reflect male-female equality and diversity. This is why I prefer to be part of platforms that are aware of the importance of diversity and male-female balance. Because I believe that what is discussed in these meetings and platforms is genuinely meaningful only when an environment of equality and diversity is present.

*Laura Furstenthal, Katie Lelarge, Tiffany Qiang, and Mateusz Trzaska, “Where are all the women innovators? Here’s a start”, McKinsey, https://mck.co/3wiBDl3 (05.19.2021)

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