The House of Commons held a discussion yesterday to address the important topics of promoting channels for technology, cyber security, disability in the tech industry, and barriers to entry for women in technology jobs.
City Hindus and City Sikhs hosted ‘Women in Tech & Finance’ in Parliament chaired by Lord Syed Kamall. The event started at 18.00 with Welcome remarks from the hosting MP, which was followed by Welcome remarks from the organising team and Lord Syed Kamall. The panel discussion and debate took place with audience Q&A. The event concluded with a summary, followed by networking until 20:00.
On the topic of promoting channels, members emphasized the need for investment in technology infrastructure and education to increase access to technology and digital literacy for all. The discussion emphasized the importance of digital inclusion in promoting economic growth and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background.
Regarding cyber security, members discussed the pressing need to increase investment in cybersecurity measures to protect citizens and organizations from cyber threats. The discussion emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships to develop strong cybersecurity practices and to prevent and respond to cyber-attacks.
In the discussion on disability in the tech industry, members acknowledged the need to increase accessibility and inclusivity in the tech sector to ensure equal opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The discussion touched on the importance of accessibility standards in the design of technology products and services and the need for training programs to support individuals with disabilities in the tech industry.
Finally, members discussed the barriers to entry for women in technology jobs and the need to increase gender diversity in the tech sector. The discussion emphasized the need for programs to support women in entering the tech industry and to increase mentorship opportunities for women in technology. The House of Commons also highlighted the importance of initiatives like Web3 Women in Tech, which focuses on promoting gender diversity in both Web3 and Web2 technology.
In addition to the discussions, members also proposed several recommendations to address the issues raised. The recommendations included the following:
- Invest in technology infrastructure and education to increase access and digital literacy
- Increase investment in cybersecurity measures to protect against cyber threats
- Implement accessibility standards in the design of technology products and services to increase inclusivity for individuals with disabilities
- Increase gender diversity in the tech sector through mentorship programs and support for women entering the industry
- Promote public-private partnerships to address cybersecurity and accessibility in the tech sector
- Increase awareness about the importance of digital inclusion and the impact of technology on society
Members of the House of Commons emphasized the need for continued efforts to address these challenges and to ensure that technology is accessible, inclusive, and secure for all. The discussions demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting equal opportunities for all individuals in the tech sector.
Alongside the discussions, the Business Development Director of VOC, Balbir Singh, was also present and made an impactful speech at the House of Commons. He spoke on channels of communication. Singh emphasized the importance of choosing the right channel to convey information effectively and engage with different audiences.
Other members of Parliament also provided value additions to the discussions. Baroness Uddin also spoke at the event. Her speech at the event further emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the tech industry. Her presence and contribution to the discussions served as a powerful reminder of the need to continue to promote equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background or identity.
Panellists and Chair at the event were:
- Lord Syed Kamall – Panel chair
- Deepali Nangia – Partner at Speedinvest and Co-Founder Alma Angels
- Dr Harveen Chugh – Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship at Warwick Business School
- Shabnam Wazed – Founder & CEO at AGAM International
- Kavita Reddi – Co-Founder at Voxta Voce conversational AI-voice and chat bots and board member at University of London, IPSO
About the Organisers:
City Hindus is a not-for-profit organisation created to promote networking, personal development and charity amongst Hindu professionals in London. www.cityhindus.org
City Sikhs is an award-winning progressive UK based Sikh charity which strives to build a cohesive and inclusive society in which individuality is respected and diversity is celebrated.
