When Conferences Go Virtual, Gender Balance Still Matters. Domopalooza Doesn't Seem to Know That.

As we hunker down worldwide, you’re sure to notice that many events are either opting for a virtual experience or postponing to a future date. At GenderAvenger, we see this as an opportunity for conference organizers to use their time wisely and do the work to ensure they present gender-balanced programming.

Domopalooza, happening online today (March 18–20), illustrates what NOT to do. With a roster of 49 speakers, a whopping 39 are men and just 10 are women, 4 of whom are women of color. That’s 80% men!

We often hear the excuse that women are too busy to speak at events. Whelp! As meetings are cancelled and multitudes transition to working from home, there are definitely women experts who are available and willing to speak at a virtual event.

To those who are postponing events, now is the time to do your research and outreach to ensure that you have a diverse slate of experts who can offer a variety of perspectives when your in-person event eventually happens. You’ve been given the opportunity to do better, so be better.

Conference organizers: as you postpone or move your events online, now is the time to do the work to ensure that you are featuring women experts in your program. Take this as an opportunity to do better than @domopalooza. #DP20 #GenderAvenger https://www.genderavenger.com/blog/domopalooza-has-terrible-gender-balance