Future Female:
Empowering Women in Technology
Story behing future female
Founded in Finland in 2016, Future Female was a pioneering network dedicated to empowering women in technology. The network aimed to dispel the myth that careers in technology, particularly in cybersecurity, are reserved only for those with high technical skills. Future Female highlighted the diverse roles available in the tech industry, including project management, compliance, governance, and strategy.
Guiding Women on a Cybersecurity Career Path
Future Female’s primary objectives were to: 1) Introduce women to the wide range of career opportunities in technology within a supportive environment, and 2) Cultivate a community where participants could thrive. By providing accessible and engaging learning opportunities, Future Female equipped participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pursue careers in various tech sectors.
Building Tomorrow’s Female Cybersecurity Experts
Future Female organized numerous events in collaboration with leading companies like Google, Salesforce, and Fortum, creating a platform where women could learn about and engage with various aspects of technology.
One of the standout programs created by Future Female was a six-month cybersecurity training initiative in partnership with Nixu, Finland’s largest cybersecurity consulting company. This program introduced women to hacking and other technical skills, ultimately leading to 20 out of 50 participants securing jobs in cybersecurity.
Embracing Diversity: Future Female Welcomes All
The network also focused on improving diversity within the tech industry by involving more men in their events over time, recognizing that gender issues in tech require broad-based solutions. Future Female had an inclusive approach, welcoming participants from diverse backgrounds and levels of experience, ensuring that everyone could benefit from the supportive learning environment. The network’s impact is evident in its success in facilitating long-term professional relationships and friendships among participants.
Challenges Faced
Despite its successes, Future Female encountered significant challenges, particularly in sustaining long-term volunteer commitment. While the network thrived on its community-driven events, finding dedicated individuals to consistently support and lead these initiatives proved difficult. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a significant impact on Future Female, shifting core activities from face-to-face interactions to online meetings.
Future Prospects: Creating New Initiatives Inspired by Future Female
Although Future Female has not continued, its legacy offers valuable insights for similar initiatives in other countries. Future networks should consider being inclusive of all interested individuals, not just women, to address diversity broadly. Forming strong partnerships with reputable brands can provide stability and resources, though it’s essential to balance this with maintaining the initiative’s independence and vision.
“Future Female’s experience is a testament to the potential of grassroots initiatives in transforming the tech landscape“
Future Female’s experience is a testament to the potential of grassroots initiatives in transforming the tech landscape by fostering diversity and inclusion, even when such efforts face challenges.
Learn More about Future Female
To learn more about Future Female and how they facilitated events and training, visit their website for more information: https://www.futurefemale.com/.
Contact Person
Anu Laitila
Manager, Risk Advisory, Deloitte