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13 engineering areas such as mechanical engineering, DQ: Why in your opinion more women must be
included in the engineering eld?
aeronautical engineering, civil engineering, etc., still have a
dearth of women. These imbalances are slightly changing in
the areas such as in civil and mechanical engineering due to Jaya Vaidhyanathan: Women bring very unique values
Engineering is a field that has a
the transformation from ‘On the Job’ activity to using tools and skills. The need for diversity must be seen at any
wide reach and is imperative in and systems that are automated. The entire perception can workplace to capture the skill set of the entire population.
almost every business vertical. change only when we notice the numbers balance in all And like any other area, we need more women in the
fields of engineering. engineering field. Women have made great strides of
While the general consensus is contribution in this field eons ago. During the world war,
TRADITIONAL that diversity is the way forward DQ: What are your thoughts on diversity in the when men were at battle, women worked in the industries
and were the pioneers in the engineering field. We have
technology industry?
for engineering, a lot more needs witnessed women who were well known in the space,
ENGINEERING to be done in this regard. That Jaya Vaidhyanathan: The technology industry has been aeronautics, mathematics field of engineering. They were
responsible for an increasing number of women entering
said, women have managed to the field not just in technology but in other areas that use most often referred to as ‘Human Calculators’ for their
sheer calibre. Such women helped pave a way for all of us,
AREAS STILL challenge the legacy, and the technology as enablers. In the technology industry, however, and now is the time for more women to join the league as
engineering filed is now beginning a 50-50 diversity ratio is yet a pipedream and we have miles we already have a smooth road ahead of us.
HAVE A to see more women leaders and need a sustained momentum to keep women in the DQ: How has your journey as an engineer been in
to go before we sleep. In order to accomplish this, we will
entrepreneurs. In an interview workforce through their entire career from entry-level to your organization?
DEARTH OF with DataQuest, Jaya the board level. This will call for focused efforts and Jaya Vaidhyanathan: In my current organisation, product
interventions at multiple levels from corporates to
Vaidhyanathan, CEO, BCT Digital governmental interventions. innovation and product engineering come directly under my
WOMEN: (Bahwan CyberTek Group) talks DQ: What are the steps that are needed to be remit. So, the Journey has been quite fulfilling.
about the present scenario for taken to ensure participation from more women? We pioneered the ‘Make in India’ product initiative with a
mission to develop products in India for India and launch it
women in technology, her journey
INTERVIEW Jaya Vaidhyanathan: Although there has been a to global markets. The passion was to build India as a
in the field, and a lot more. noticeable rise in the participation of women, we can still product innovation hub rather than a position of continued
see ‘The Revolving Door’ syndrome in our system. This reliance on software imported from global players to fulfil
th
June 24 , 2019 means that when women are initially recruited at local customer demand.
corporates, we eventually lose them through their journey
midway at a very alarming rate. Ultimately very few are able DQ: What are some of the initiatives adopted by
to reach the top of the ladder at leadership levels. Hence, a your organization to encourage women?
more focus on retention strategies is necessary to solve this
Jaya Vaidhyanathan: A uniquely designed platform called
problem. Additionally, strong support that revolves around a
‘WATER’ (Women’s Advancement, Transformation,
woman’s eco-system like family, society, the government,
Empowerment and Recognition) was designed to ensure
the company, etc. is essential.
Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the
DQ: As a woman working in engineering, do you workplace. WATER focusses on taking a deeper dive into
have any role models that you look up to? women’s economic empowerment by imparting tools,
techniques, learning and mentorship initiatives for women at
DQ: Engineering was earlier considered Jaya Vaidhyanathan: My special heroine is Katherine the workplace through engaging thematic programs. We
a man’s job. How has the perception Johnson, who was called the ‘human calculator’. At a time in have exclusive platforms built and developed for women
towards women in engineering changed society when she had the twin disadvantages of being a employees to encourage them in multiple ways. Support
over the years? woman and being black, she helped NASA with her groups, professional forums, communities and connects to
fundamental work in orbital mechanics. I would suggest enrich their health, safety and well-being, etc. are some of
Jaya Vaidhyanathan: More women are reading the book “Hidden Figures” for those who haven’t the specific areas of focus.
Jaya Vaidhyanathan joining engineering colleges; however, we yet read it yet and this will inspire you. Like, Katherine
CEO, BCT Digital continue to attract them towards the software Johnson, a lot more women engineers that have trodden a
engineering arena. The other traditional much tougher path are an inspiration to me.
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