Attrahera, främja och behålla kvinnorna i IT-branschen
En studie om det kvinnliga nätverket Geek Girl Meetup
The aim of this study is to examine the conditions for participation in women's networks for the members of the Geek Girl Meetup network, to expose the members' perceptions of the IT industry and to highlight the network's impact on women's situation in the IT industry. The empirical material consists of interviews and a survey. The interviews were carried out with the network leaders for a better understanding of the network structure and why it exists. The survey completed by the members illuminates how the members perceive the networks function in the IT industry and what kind of an impact the network has on the members and if it has any at all. The result of the study shows that participation in networks like Geek Girl Meetup can be a model for promoting gender equality and improving conditions for women in the IT industry. However, the study does not clearly show whether being a member of the Geek Girl Meetup network has any effect on other women to start training or career in IT, or that this would promote a certain influx of women into IT-related occupations. The essay concludes that a direct impact of the women's network Geek Girl Meetup on IT industry can not be verified but it has a positive impact on the members