All women conferences vs Other conferences
Starting December 2014 till now, I have attended about 15 events (in New Delhi). This includes big conferences, networking mixers, and events organized by Headstart/Startup Saturday, Nasscom, 91springborad etc. How my experience has been at these events is a different topic altogether and will be writing about it soon. This post is about a different topic altogether. Now, out of the 15 events I have attended, only 2 have been women only conferences. This number could have two possible implications:
- Actually there are few events which have a women only audience
- There are few women who want to attend such events — no demand, no supply
But the sheer amount of audience that the 2 events attracted, nullifies the no demand no supply implication.
I would be honest, initially when I started reading about the issue of “women in tech” or “lack of women entrepreneurs”, I had wondered why is this even an issue. In fact even as i went to attend my 1st women only event-Nasscom’s Girls in Tech series, i wondered what would a women only event even be.
But attending that event was a different experience altogether. I was able to resonate with the women who had come there. I did not have to work hard to break into a group. And then i came across this and other such articles. Not to sound like I am a changed person, but I think I can better resonate with the issue now.
So now the question is how are the two types of events different:
1) Logistical issue — The problem of timing
All women events start early and end by 7 or 8, which is a decent enough time in New Delhi for a woman to travel alone (touchwood). The other events especially networking mixers start late and can stretch beyond 9.30. This implies that I as a woman attendee leave the mixer early and miss out on major networking opportunities. Generally networking mixers tend to stretch till late.
2) Networking issues
At a very recent gathering, as i entered the venue, my first reaction was: its so full of men. And it is the case in almost all events. And it becomes a little intimidating and means that you have to work hard to network. People stand in groups of 3 or 4 and practically ignore you as you try to join in the conversation. And as you do try to join in or offer a suggestion, it gets dismissed like shit. Not to say all people are like that, but this is majorly the scenario.
The case has been the opposite at 2 women only events i have attended. In fact I am in constant touch with almost all the brilliant ladies, i have met so far.
3) Content wise
The content and format of both the type of events has been similar. You end up with almost similar lessons at both types of events. But at women only events you will have people with you who relate to the lessons just like you do. Having said that, there is a fundamental difference between how men think and act and the way women think and act.
Quality of content however can be improved at both types of events.
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