Invisible Barriers
Women face more barriers, and invisible ones at that, than men
Over the last few weeks, I worked non-stop on grant applications to support Design for Women outside of conventional client relationships. It took every ounce of energy from me. Even I, as a partnered non-parent on flexible working hours, only found time to make instant noodles for lunch during these days. How do other women with other (and more) responsibilities do it?
Today, it is the norm that grant applications ask for a lot — under tight deadlines, tight word counts, tight eligibility requirements. If I had been sick the week they were due, I’m sure my application would only be half as good. If I had a kid/family who was sick during that week, I probably wouldn’t have gotten it in.
Luck, right? Or, design? I set out to find the answer.
In speaking with a fellowship program which funds female founders only, I learned that even with a focus on women, application design can discourage them from applying. “We see a huge drop-off at the ‘financials’ section in the application,” she explained, realising that they were hitting themselves in the foot. Another women’s focused accelerator spoke to the problematic glorification of VC funding. Focusing on just “one thing” (VC funding) as a measure of success, and a lack of information about various types of funding deters women from being able to fund their businesses.
Here’s what I’m learning from these conversations: barriers to funds for women exist much earlier than you can imagine. They might exist in a tight deadline, in an application section women have historically been intimidated by, in a lack of information — all of which point to a need for holistic design for women.
Invisible barriers for women exist everywhere. Next time you experience or notice one, hit reply to let us know. We might start making a list — you know we love them !
Until next time,
Mansi
