I am honored to be here today and I’m so proud to be standing here because I can see many familiar faces of brave and successful women who are already changing the world of technology and science, who are changing our country, our everyday life, who are influencing our universities, companies and our administration - said Katarzyna Kotula, Minister of Equality, during the opening of Perspektywy Women in Tech Summit 2024.
But among those faces I can see stories of girls and women who many times have heard that science and the tech world are not for them. They won’t make it because they need to learn more, be more bossy, and sacrifice their plans and families if they want to be successful. Oh gosh, it resonates a lot with me!
I’m sure that you have heard that you are the future, but I think and I wanna tell you that you are the present. You are the change that is already happening to us. But what is more important for me - as a mother of a girl - you are the hope for many little girls who can see themselves in your stories.
Women’s voices have been silenced and women’s work has been wiped out
Now that I finished all those wise words that I’ve written myself down this morning, I can tell you the story of the first out of seven coffees that I drink in the morning. I was drinking the coffee today, getting prepared, and all excited for this meeting. And on my table, I saw my diplomatic passport. Unfortunately, I opened it and there it goes the reality check: I was searching in the passport for a woman or a girl… And what did I realize? Ten men, no girls, no women. No known scientists, no historical figures, nothing. Women’s voices have been silenced and women’s work has been wiped out. But you probably all know all about it.
The world is changing because of women’s courage and bravery
There is a lot of work to do. We need to reduce inequalities, we need to fight the pay and the gender gaps and we're doing that. We need to support programs for girls and women at the universities and schools.
The world is changing because of women’s courage and bravery. In the European Union, the gender gap still stands around 13% but it will change with the pay transparency directive that will be introduced in Polish law (...).
I want you to have a wonderful day, spend this time the best you can, build networks, and inspire each other. Female role models are needed to drive change. You are the female role models and you inspire other women. I know for sure that at least one of you surely will be in the next Polish passport and I promise I will do that. And man, they can’t hold us down. And I know all about it trying to negotiate the same-sex partnership bill.
Watch the Opening of the Perspektywy Women in Tech Summit 2024
