“The channel is one step behind.”

Simultaneously spearheading diversity initiatives and working on the front line is HR.

Donna Bain is senior vice president people and development at distributor Westcon-Comstor. She acknowledges the years of cultural bias and stereotypes that have plagued the IT industry. This has discouraged many women from pursuing a career in the field, she says.

“With the channel in particular always seemingly one step behind.”

“One way to address this perception problem is for channel businesses to do more to highlight female role models within their workforces. By removing the stigma around female representation in more senior levels of business, we … inspire girls to enter the industry. [We] also make it clear to both girls and boys that this is an industry that anyone can thrive in,” she says.

Westcon-Comstor is undertaking several initiatives including companywide unconscious bias training. This is to address the culturing and conditioning that many of us have grown up with. It is also looking at apprenticeship schemes that are linked to technology — in cybersecurity, for example, where there is a real skills gap.

“One of our apprenticeships is aimed at upskilling people who belong to the BME community. The scheme is part of our Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) initiative which is designed to address inequalities of the past.”

Importantly, as part of its ONEWestcon program, the distributor has hosted events for employees that have focused on different aspects of women’s health, including menopause.

“It’s crucial that we remove the stigma attached to these issues, normalizing conversation and encouraging more of a level playing field where unnecessary stigmas don’t impact anyone’s well-being,” says Bain.

She does note however, “We will put our hands up and tell you that we’re not perfect. We’re trying hard to ensure we employ more women and close the gender pay gap. Though we still have some way to go, addressing these imbalances is a key priority for the company, and we are putting all our efforts into ensuring we make it happen.”