By Ailsa Sherrington
Research from eToro, conducted earlier this year, indicates that blockchain is witnessing a major gender divide only 8.5 percent of cryptocurrency users are female.
Its obviously a problem. As we move into a new era of blockchain and cryptocurrency, one where it could potentially become universally adopted, its clear that the voices and opinions of women and everyone, really are needed to help us get there.
Weve noticed that things are moving in the right direction, and its encouraging to see. At our blockchain event, Hard Fork Decentralized, were offering women an 85-percent discount on tickets to lessen the inevitable gender gap thats become inherent at industry conferences.
Were not alone, either. Here are some others who actively promote a gender-balanced blockchain future, in a variety of different ways:
Women in power
Recently, a Swiss cryptocurrency association announced that they needed more female leaders. Local news reported that they would appoint two new female board members, following accusations that it had become a boys club.
While its slowly becoming more normalized to see women in power in the industry, its still big news when it happens. Take, for example, this article on IBMs female-led blockchain team, which still has to explain the merits of the women in charge. My hope is that in 20 years time, a womans qualifications wont need to be so heavily used as justification.
Education
Lightning Labs co-founder and CEO Elizabeth Stark announced scholarships for female blockchain devs in New York City earlier this year, in an aim to lessen the gender divide.
This isnt just happening in Western countries, either. In Afghanistan, where its common for women to not have access to their own money, cryptocurrency can be a very empowering tool. Code to Inspire, a nonprofit coding school for girls in Herat, Afghanistan, trains women in technical literacy so they can have financial and social independence.
The #MeToo Movement
In China, activists have turned to blockchain in order to document the stories of sexual assault victims. In retaliation to government censorship on social media, using blockchain is a way of ensuring that these stories are never altered or destroyed.
Its not a perfect solution, as the government can still take down websites that allow for this documentation on the blockchain, but its inspiring to see women use the technology to stand their ground and make their voices heard.
All of these efforts are paving the way for a gender-equal blockchain and cryptocurrency industry. Weve certainly got a long way to go theres so much more to be done but these examples are a great step in the right direction.
At Hard Fork Decentralized, weve invited some inspiring women to share their ideas, perspectives, and experiences about the future of blockchain. Well be hosting Kavita Gupta, Founding Managing Partner at ConsenSys, Margarita Khartanovich, Editor-in-Chief at Binary District, Ayelet Noff, Founder and Co-CEO of Blonde 2.0, and more.
If youd like to join us, wed love to have you. It doesnt matter if youre a seasoned blockchain expert or simply interested in learning about cryptocurrency theres something for everyone.
This article has been previously published on The Next Web.
Ailsa Sherrington is a tech journalist based in Amsterdam.