‘Gender diversity in product development critical’
There is the need for gender diversity in product development in order to take care of the needs of both men and women.
“By promoting inclusivity in all aspects of technology development, companies can create products that better serve the needs of both men and women,” Angela Mensah-Poku, Director of Digital and Commercial Operations at Vodafone Ghana, said W. High Tea event held in Accra.
The event, organised by The Fitzgerald and Curate Mktg, in partnership with Access Bank’s Women Initiative, focused on the theme “Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”.
Sharing her insights on empowering women in the technology sector, she highlighted the importance of soft skills in a male-dominated industry, emphasising the value of effective verbal and written communication, a strong work ethic, and emotional intelligence.
“Understanding who you are as a person is what makes you a better leader. It requires that you be honest with yourself about your strengths and weaknesses,” she stated.
Addressing the challenges that women face in technology roles, she underscored the significance of fostering a supportive environment.
She praised Vodafone Ghana’s efforts in this regard, stating, “We are very deliberate about how we coach, mentor, and support women in the organisation”.
She explained that Vodafone Ghana champions programmes such as ReConnect, which assists female professionals returning to the workforce after a career break.
One of the key aspects of creating a more inclusive workplace, according to her, was addressing unconscious biases.
She emphasised the need to counter these biases during the recruitment process, explaining that Vodafone Ghana ensures there is a female interviewer on every panel. “For this reason, there is a balance at the interviewing stage and that helps us bring in competent, credible women who can do the job,” she said.
BY KINGSLEY ASARE
