Author: Dina Kenzhegaliyeva
Publication date: 24.09.2024
In today’s data-driven business world, information is critical for innovation and decision-making. However, as Caroline Criado Perez points out in her book Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men, much of this data fails to account for women’s needs. This lack of gender-specific data leads to biased outcomes in product design and service development, with many solutions failing to effectively address the needs of half the population. While this is an issue of fairness, it also presents a missed opportunity for businesses to create more inclusive and effective products, which can drive growth and innovation.
What is the gender data gap?
The gender data gap refers to the lack of women’s representation in important datasets. In areas like healthcare, technology, and product design, most research has focused on men as the main subject. As a result, many products do not consider women’s unique needs, which can lead to poor medical treatments, unequal public services, and lost opportunities for more inclusive design.
Why closing the gap is essential for businesses
Companies that do not think about inclusive design are missing out on a huge part of their market-women. By addressing the gender data gap, businesses can create products that work better for everyone, increase their market reach, improve customer satisfaction, and gain a stronger competitive edge. When products are designed for all, they become smarter, more effective, and more useful.
Example: car safety and gender bias
A clear example of the gender data gap can be found in car safety testing. In the past, crash test dummies were modeled on the average male body. This meant that cars were mostly designed with men in mind. As a result, women are 47% more likely to be seriously injured in car accidents. Women’s bodies are different from men’s in important ways, such as body mass, muscle distribution, and bone density. These differences affect how women’s bodies react during a car crash. Yet, female crash test dummies were not widely used until recently, and even now they are often just smaller versions of male dummies, rather than accurate models of a woman’s body. Some companies, like Volvo, are starting to change this. Volvo has introduced more accurate female crash test dummies in their safety tests, helping to create safer cars for everyone. This shows that by closing the gender data gap, businesses can develop products that work better for both men and women.
Three steps to close the gender data gap
1. collect gender-inclusive data
The first step in closing the gender data gap is to collect gender-inclusive data. Many companies don’t realize how their products affect men and women differently. For example, early voice recognition systems were trained mostly on male voices, which made it harder for the systems to recognize female voices. Companies like Google and Apple have since expanded their data to include more diverse voices, making their systems better for everyone.
2. design products for both genders
Instead of adding female-friendly features after the product is already developed, businesses should focus on inclusive design from the beginning. For example, smartphones are often made to fit comfortably in men’s hands, making them harder for women to use. By thinking about women’s needs early in the design process, companies can create products that are more user-friendly for all.
3. test products with diverse users
It’s important to test products with a diverse group of users to make sure they meet the needs of all customers. For instance, wearable devices should be tested on different body types to make sure they are comfortable and work well for everyone. By getting feedback from both men and women, companies can make changes to improve their products.
Benefits of closing the gender data gap
Fixing the gender data gap doesn’t just help women-it helps businesses too. Inclusive design leads to better products, more satisfied customers, and a stronger brand reputation. Different industries can benefit from closing the gap:
Product designers can create items that are more useful and comfortable for a diverse audience.
Tech companies can develop smarter systems that work for a wider range of users.
Healthcare providers can offer better treatments for both men and women.
Businesses overall can build a reputation for innovation and inclusivity.
Conclusion
Closing the gender data gap gives businesses a unique chance to innovate and grow. By collecting gender-inclusive data, designing for everyone, and testing products with a diverse group of users, companies can make better products that meet the needs of all. Closing this gap isn’t just about fairness-it’s about long-term business success.
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