Why I'm nervous about attending West Tech Fest this year

It’s one of the best weeks of the year in Perth – West Tech Fest is here! 🎉

…but I do confess some trepidation.

This is the first year I’ve had to go all the way through an investigation to get resolution when I’ve brought up an issue of gender imbalance in a workplace.

The investigation found unprofessional conduct and a breach of policy, so I was ‘right’ to bring it up, but it’s still astounding to me that I had to go that far, and the feedback I copped at every turn from the perpetrators was gobsmacking.

I think what I’ve experienced is a symptom of the times.

Discrimination is getting worse for a lot of women right now.

It's also a symptom of life in Startup World, which is the most gender discriminatory industry I've worked in - and I've worked as a chemical engineer in mining and management consulting.

With that in mind, here’s a message for the men attending West Tech Fest this week, especially those who’d like to be allies of the women attending:

1. Women are NOT broken

More confidence won’t fix the systems that see female-founded businesses receive vastly less financial investment than male-founded businesses.

Confidence has been weaponised against women.

If you’re selling the 'women founders need to be more confident' line, you’re either misinformed or malicious, and you need to stop.

2. 'Good’ men perpetuate discrimination too

If you won’t believe a ‘good bloke’ you know would be discriminatory, even when you hear it from multiple trusted sources, you’re the problem.

3. Silence IS acceptance

If you don’t speak up when something discriminatory happens in front of you, you’re condoning it.

It might feel safer to stay quiet.

I encourage you to grasp your courage and stand up against it on the spot.

4. Re-traumatising people is NOT OK

…even if you pay them.

Waiting to be persuaded by someone’s personal traumatic story before you do the ‘right thing’ is unnecessary and harmful.

The damage you do by facilitating them recounting that trauma can be enormous.

Do the 'right thing' without needing to watch/hear someone re-wound themselves in front of you.

5. Women are copping MORE discrimination right now

The backlash of #MeToo and gender equity gains we've made has some men being much more vocal about suppressing women’s rights.

(I reckon most of that comes from a ‘you’re taking some of my slice of the pie’ attitude, failing to realise this is about growing the pie.)

We’re seeing more direct and upfront discrimination, so we’re tender right now. Less inclined to speak up. Less inclined to defend ourselves.

That’s your cue to help us.

If you see it, say something.

And if you don’t see it, you probably haven’t been paying attention ;)

6. We are NOT obliged to educate

You don’t ask the wounded to teach you how the injury you caused has harmed them and what you should do next time instead.

If we’re discriminated against, it’s not the woman’s job to kindly take you aside and explain the error of your ways. If you expect that, be prepared for a shock - especially if you expect it from me!