The Developers Digest Q1 Issue

28
opinion
By Caroline Wanjeri Kihara
Head, KCB Foundation
1. What is equality in your own words?
• For me equality means living in a world
where responsibilities and opportunities do
not depend on whether one is born male
or female. Equality in this case means each
individuals’ interests, needs and priorities
are taken into consideration, recognizing
the diversity of different groups of people.
Whether a person is living with disability, man
or woman.
• It is a human rights issue and as a precondition
for sustainable people-centered development.
2. Why do you think diversity in the work place is
so important?
• Diversity is key as it brings various
perspectives and insight to the workplace, this
is what gives an organisation innovation and
unique products to tap into various audiences.
It reminds us that we are human and humanity
for all is key. In Africa we call this Ubuntu.
• Diversity means providing an opportunity for
anyone who applies for any role regardless of
their religion, culture, background, language,
physical attributes, as long as they meet the
required skillset.
3. In your opinion, what is the nexus between
digitization and gender equality and how can
we bridge the gender gap in the industry?
• The industry has been predominantly male
dominated due to the traditional nature of
construction work. Women still have a long
way to go in taking up more roles and attaining
representation in the sector.
• The industry’s digital future can bring an
opportunity for change. We can pro-actively
use technological developments to make
the sector more inclusive, and a more equal
one. Online identities can assume no gender.
As such, first impressions can be based on
merit, rather than a conditioned response
to an individual’s gender presentation.
We have attempted to bridge this gap at
KCB Foundation through partnership with
construction firms that have embraced
technology and alternative building
technology that encourages girls to also
participate in the construction industry. The
construction site is changing from the old
mjengo site characterized with brick and
mortar to a more modern friendly working site
where women can also participate.
• In the emerging digital workplace, traditional
career structures are forecast to be less
attractive, and may no longer be the norm.
Instead, developer companies might offer
a new, location-independent, flexible
environment in which those women and men
who support families might thrive.
• The industry’s culture of long hours and being
seen at work may finally begin to change.
• However, to fully embrace the opportunities
that an internet-enabled industry can promise,
the digital transformation needs to be met by
a cultural one. This cultural shift would need
to allow employees to manage their home life
commitments, defining new career and reward
structures so that the best of developer’s
talent pool can deliver their best work.
• It should also allow for anyone, despite
their gender to take up any role they want
as long as they prove they can perform. This
also includes opportunities in the field and
construction sites.
4. What sacrifices have you had to make for your
career as a woman?
• Time and career choice for family is a sacrifice I
have had to make severally. As a proud mother
of 5, my family means the world to me. I have
declined job offers when they came when I felt
I needed more time with the kids as they were
growing up. Our 1st Born son is a 2nd year
student at the University and the 2nd Born
will be joining him next year. They are one and
Adopting a Long-term Perspective in the Real Estate Sector