At Mantu, we’re lucky to have amazing women from all backgrounds, cultures, and professions working with us in our ecosystem.
We know that it isn’t always easy for women to break into their chosen field, particularly in Business and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) areas, which is why we wanted to hear directly from some Mantu women on how their experiences have led them to where they are today.
Achieving equality is what matters most
“I knew that I wanted to work in the tech sector from the very beginning of my studies. I pursued this path aware of the fact that being a woman in tech can be less than ideal.
Today, tech is still a male-dominated industry. This gender gap led me to continuously strive to outperform in my studies. I worked relentlessly to prove myself and to demonstrate the value women can bring to IT: more and more women can – and should – work in the tech sector.
Although I’ve always been drawn to occupations within male-dominated fields, I’ve never dealt with any hiring or recruitment discrimination.
I now manage a team of engineers, two of whom are older than me: 15 years ago it would have been much more difficult to earn this management position. I’m proud to be a woman in tech, and I’d like to show other women that it is possible to succeed in this field. I want to help women gain confidence in themselves and remind them that they should never underestimate their skills.
Currently, I’m working in the IT department at Mantu. I intend to grow my career within the tech sector because I really love what I do, and I hope that in the future more women will join me.
Our skills and competencies are valuable. I will keep working hard to show the world that young women deserve to be treated the same as men: achieving equality is what matters most.”
I didn’t have many female mentors
“When I was doing my first degree, I didn’t know what my career options could look like because I didn’t have many female mentors or have knowledge of all the possible career options I could choose from.
It wasn’t until my master’s program at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, where I met so many incredible women in high positions from all over the world, that my eyes were opened to other career paths. This was really inspiring for me and certainly wasn’t something I expected.
Today, I want to thank all the incredible women who have impacted my life and have been role models to me ever since. Representation is important and it is always helpful to have access to relatable role models – they have shown me that if I continue to work hard, I can follow in their footsteps.
I look forward to building a strong future and inspiring others who wish to pursue a career in science.”
Women should have more opportunities to be decision-makers
“My first year at college was a real eye-opener: there were a lot of women in my engineering course. Knowing that my country (Tunisia) empowers women in technology is profoundly inspiring. This has encouraged me to work harder to achieve my goals and to be a part of this great community.
Throughout my education and career, many people have helped me and pushed me to be the best version of myself. My advice is to surround yourself with supportive people and to let yourself lean on them when needed: they are the key to your success.
The IT field can be challenging but you shouldn’t be afraid of failure, and you should always be willing to try again. I think that women should have more opportunities to be decision-makers in the tech sector.“
I’m no longer afraid of prejudice
“While I was at university, the imbalance between the number of male and female students in my finance classes made me feel out of place. However, when I eventually graduated top of my class, I felt I received more recognition than I would have as a man.
As a woman working in finance today, I can feel quite isolated sometimes. Men become professional allies easily, which isn’t easy to change. For any woman feeling the same way I did, my advice is to concentrate on your own capabilities and self-confidence – the rest will follow!
I am proud of how far I’ve come; I’m no longer afraid of prejudice. As a woman in finance, people may look at my achievements differently, but that will never diminish my success.”
Mantu is a signatory of the United Nations’ Statement of Support for Women’s Empowerment Principles.
Read what our Head of Risk, Audit & Compliance, Noémie Moreau, had to say about the importance of women in STEM fields for the UN’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
