Executive Voices 3 mins read

On International Women’s Day, be more like Zorro 

On International Women’s Day 2020, we know that an equal world is an enabled world, and that sometimes we have to fight for it.

Dr. Elke Frank Dr. Elke Frank
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On International Women’s Day 2020, we know that an equal world is an enabled world, and that sometimes we have to fight for it.

For this you need to be inspired – by a person, a dream, or a cause. My inspiration is Zorro, who always fights for what’s right.  On IWD 2020 we can do just that – challenge stereotypes, fight bias, broaden perceptions and improve situations. And we can all celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women everywhere. 

At Software AG, we have even more reason to celebrate IWD 2020: We are a technology company with a global pool of female talent – from Board and C-level to marketers, sales, developers and professional services. 

We know that a diverse workplace is a successful workplace. Women make up 50% of the world’s population, yet only 20-25% of jobs in tech are filled by women.  It is widely acknowledged that STEM (science, tech, engineering and mathematics) careers are male dominated. Consequently, there are relatively few female STEM women role models. 

Women in tech

You may ask, why should women want to work in technology? Because technology is changing the world, and it influences every product, every person and everything that happens globally. This influence will only increase and anyone who wants to be a part of this change should actively participate. 

Also, you should want to work somewhere you are appreciated. Women have a lot of special skills to benefit tech companies; they often have better emotional skills – emotional intelligence – and special communications and collaboration skills. Diverse thinking leads to better problem-solving. 

Ada Lovelace, considered to be one of the first computer programmers, understood this back in the mid-1800’s: “I believe myself to possess a most singular combination of qualities exactly fitted to make me pre-eminently a discoverer of the hidden realities of nature.”

Software AG initiatives

At Software AG, we are taking a variety of steps to empower, enable and attract female employees. With our participation in Women into Leadership mentoring program, we provide a foundation for women to advance. 

Our initiative SoftwareAGain, in India, is aimed at experienced senior women in tech who have interrupted their career due to maternity leave or sabbaticals. After spending a few days in Bangalore, I was particularly impressed by how creative we really are when it comes to finding the right people in today’s war for talents. This program, under our two R&D leaders Padma Reddy and Thanikachalam Subramanian, shows how hard we work to encourage women back into the marketplace and how important corporate social responsibility is.

And, we have a good representation of women – 30% overall land 15% in our top leadership team – and we will not stop there. We want more women programming, marketing, selling, leading and thriving at Software AG. 

Be more “each for equal” on IWD by being more like Zorro. Fight for what’s right, take bold steps, be passionate about your future and make the leap to a career in technology. The industry needs you. We need you. 

See who inspires us at Software AG…  Watch now!