Hi Reader, In the last two weeks, I've had the privilege to attend four different conferences focused on women and I've presented at two of them. The topics discussed were as complex and rich as women's lives: neurodiversity in the workplace, women in politics, childcare, artificial intelligence and the future of the female workforce, child labour, impossible goals and ambition, postpartum depression at work, career myths, women in tech, accessibility, quotas... and so many more. The idea for...
almost 3 years ago • 8 min read
Hi Reader, I was delighted to be interviewed by John Leonard at Computing – a source for end-user IT news, analysis and insight around the world – about my talk Automated out of work: AI’s impact on the female workforce at the Women in Tech Festival on Tuesday October 31st in London. I reproduce below the interview. You’ll find at the end additional reflections framed as Q&A. Interview Patricia Gestoso, is an award-winning technologist and inclusion strategist with over 20 years of experience...
almost 3 years ago • 7 min read
Hi Reader, This is the final article in a trilogy based on my summer holiday. Each piece marks an important milestone in my evolution as an activist for women’s rights and also as a person. The first one was about the invisibility of women in public spaces (Monumental Inequity: The Missing Women). The second one was about the visibility of harassment in the workplace. This one comes full circle. It’s about the invisibility of a very specific kind of work: caregiving. The invisibility of...
almost 3 years ago • 6 min read
Hi Reader, This week my article comes with a little delay because I spent the weekend in London attending the Fawcett Conference 2023 with the theme Women win elections! and celebrating my birthday. And now, back to the post. As I mentioned last week, this is the second of a series of three articles based on my summer holiday. Each marks an important milestone in my evolution as an activist for women’s rights and also as a person. The first one was about the invisibility of women in public...
about 3 years ago • 6 min read
Hi Reader, I went on holiday in August with the very clear objective of spending time with my brother — who lives in Spain — and my parents — who live in Venezuela. From that point of view, I'm happy to report that it was mission accomplished. I also wanted to rest. So I thought I'd put my women’s rights activism aside during the vacation and have a lighthearted summer break. That was a total failure. I had little rest and it couldn't park my activism. However, I learned a lot about myself,...
about 3 years ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader, Apologies to those of you who were expecting an article last week. Ten days ago personal computer decided that it had given it all. I now have a new computer and I’m back to writing. Disaster adverted! One of the things I was mulling over while I was sorting my computer was that from today, Sunday, October 1st, I have 3 months (roughly 90 days) left until the end of 2023. I was in shock first, thinking who stole my year. Then, I shifted to mentally assess how well I was doing with...
about 3 years ago • 6 min read
Hi Reader, The hype around idyllic tech workplaces that originated in Silicon Valley with tales of great pay, free food and Ping-Pong tables reaches a whole new level when we talk about artificial intelligence (AI). Tech companies that want to remain competitive court data-scientists and AI expert developers with six-figure salaries and perks that go from unlimited holidays, on-site gyms, and nap pods, to subsidising egg-freezing and IVF treatments. I am a director at a software company that...
about 3 years ago • 6 min read
Hi Reader, I'm back after a hectic and unpredictable summer break. More about it soon. In the meantime, I want to share with you an article that I published in the economics journal The Mint Magazine about the industrial complex behind diversity, inclusion, and equity initiatives and who really gets the benefits. In it, I uncover the economic and strategic interests behind the “fixing women” programs, unconscious bias training, and allyship overload. The great pretenders In 2013, the...
about 3 years ago • 5 min read
Hi Reader, As an inclusion strategist, I always have the impression that I’m behind. The inspiring Audre Lorde – who defined herself as “black, lesbian, feminist, socialist, mother, warrior, poet”- captured my feelings very well in the following quote: “Life is very short and what we have to do must be done in the now.” Audre Lorde So much to do and so little time! I also find it difficult to reflect on and savour my accomplishments. Although DEI and women in tech are topics where many people...
about 3 years ago • 6 min read