For over a year now, at Desjardins Caisse des Technologies, we’ve seen a growing demand to support initiatives aimed at women in technology. There are many issues at stake, and the fact that several new organizations are springing up demonstrates that a large-scale movement is underway. However, this effervescence raises an essential question: by multiplying isolated initiatives, do we risk diluting our efforts rather than maximizing our impact?
A cooperative approach
After frank discussions within our committees and board of directors, we decided to do things differently. Rather than simply supporting a few individual initiatives, we took on the role of catalyst. We brought together five active member organizations – Technovation, DigiWomen, Black Ladies In Tech (BLIT), Le Code Des Filles (LCDF) and TechQuiero – for an unprecedented meeting of exchange and collaboration.
The aim of this co-creation workshop, led by Doryne Bourque, IAS.A, Chairman of the Board of Desjardins Caisse des Technologies and founder of Hathor Conseils, was to enable these organizations to introduce themselves, share their challenges and brainstorm together on a larger-scale project. A project that could ultimately have a real impact on the support and promotion of women in technology on a national scale.
“Finding your place as a woman in the world of technology often means sailing against the tide. I’ve learned that boldness, networking and support are essential levers. If we really want to propel women in technology, we have to go beyond the individual approach and rely on the strength of the collective. By relying on cooperation and building bridges between existing initiatives, we’re building an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem, where every woman can not only find her place, but also evolve without having to constantly prove her legitimacy.”
Desjardins’ strategic levers for sustainable impact
To make these ambitions a reality, Desjardins Caisse des Technologies uses a number of strategic levers. Through donations and sponsorships, we support projects that stimulate innovation and foster the emergence of new solutions. The Fonds d’aide au développement du milieu (FADM), for its part, supports organizations that have a positive impact on the technology community, notably by improving access to technology, supporting entrepreneurship or encouraging the adoption of innovative solutions. Finally, the Fonds du Grand Mouvement, in association with other organizations, is mobilized to invest in large-scale initiatives that are transforming the Quebec technology ecosystem. These strategic investments help to build infrastructures, support collaborative research projects and help companies expand their reach nationally and beyond.
These levers are part of a coherent approach aimed at stimulating innovation, strengthening connections between key players, promoting their development and building an inclusive and sustainable technological ecosystem. To find out more about the different levers, please visit our community involvement page.
Common challenges, shared opportunities
Discussions highlighted several common challenges facing organizations dedicated to women in technology. Among them, the sustainability of business models, the creation of bridges between young girls and technology fields, and the need for wider outreach of existing initiatives. These exchanges also revealed recurring issues, such as the need for financial and material resources, the valorization of skills, and encouraging women to prioritize themselves in their career paths.
At the same time, promising opportunities have emerged, including the deployment of initiatives that encourage entrepreneurship from an early age, a strategy that has already proved its worth in boosting young girls’ lasting interest in technological professions. Furthermore, the implementation of structuring and sustainable projects could propel Quebec as a leader within the global Francophonie, by inspiring younger generations of women to become actively involved in the careers of the future and shape tomorrow’s technological ecosystem.
Mutual reflection: building an inclusive future
The discussions also identified several priority areas for strengthening the presence of women in the technology sector:
- Attract more women into technology by promoting a variety of profiles, including tech moms and women over 45, to show that it’s possible to thrive in these professions at any age.
- Fight stereotypes linked to technological professions and promote female skills in strategic sectors, particularly in data analytics and artificial intelligence.
- Foster the visibility of female success stories to inspire the next generation and boost young girls’ self-esteem, from an early age.
- Rely on collaborative solutions, such as mentoring models, to support those who want to go further and don’t fit into current structures.
These reflections converge towards the same objective: to build a more inclusive technological ecosystem, where women’s skills are fully recognized and valued.
How about working together?
The ultimate aim of this approach is to join forces for a lasting impact. By making these first exchanges public, we hope that other players – governmental, educational or private organizations – will join this initiative to contribute to a cause that deserves our full attention.
So, what do you think?
At a time when organizations supporting women in technology are multiplying, how can we go further to transform existing mechanisms and fully value women’s skills in the professions of the future? If you’d like to take part in this reflection or collaborate, contact us via our online form below.
