Challenging the gendered segregation of work in the ICT sector by re-branding the occupation’s identity

Abstract

The percentage of women in the ICT-sector is in Switzerland at 15% (Econlab, 2014), the same is true for many other European countries. The gendered segregation of work in the ICT sector seems to be even more worrisome, as within the area of digitalization, ICT will shape jobs and society even more in the future. In this light, it is even more important, that an equal participation in the light of un-doing gender should be strived for (Kelan, 2010). Already a lot of valuable initiatives and insightful research has been conducted to raise awareness and insight to gendered choices and preferences on subjects at school (Bieri Buschor, Berweger, Keck Frei, & Kappler, 2012; Nosek, Banaji, & Greenwald, 2002). Research shows that, next to the sensitive phase of primary and secondary school, the phase of selecting a course of study or a vocational training is very important (Liebig, Levy, Sauer, & Sousa-Poza, 2014).