Global interactive entertainment company Zynga Inc. organised a one-of-a-kind Tech Meetup for mid-senior women in the gaming industry as part of the 2023 Women’s Day Celebration initiatives. The event, which took place in the company’s India office, brought together women that are passionate about working in the gaming and technology industry and to address the current state of gender equity.
The meetup featured female leaders from within the organisation: associate general manager Poornima Seetharaman, director of products Shilpi Gupta, lead producer Divya Nair, data analytics manager Angel Joy, and senior concept artist Rutuja Kishor Patil.
Topics of discussion included:
- Women in Technology – Why products consumed by women should be developed by more women
- Leading Voices – What would an industry look like with feminine leadership
- Career in Games – An overview of lucrative opportunities for various skills and functions available to female professionals in the industry
- Gaming Industry – Where technology meets creativity
The speakers shared their experiences and insights on the challenges and opportunities of promoting gender equity and inclusivity in the tech industry, highlighting the importance of creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture. Helming technical roles and understanding the nuances of working in a male-oriented industry proved to be insightful and encouraging for those who aspire to follow suit.
Women comprise a small percentage of the workforce in the Indian gaming industry. Zynga believes it is imperative for companies to create programmes that help inspire women in taking up interesting roles and making way for the coming generations.
Zynga HR vice president Bhavna Talwar said, “Women are pathbreakers, leading the way in technical roles. Gaming is no exception; we see great potential in female candidates during hiring. At Zynga, there are many in leadership roles, and we have lots of success stories to tell. With the Tech Meetup, we want to encourage and motivate women to take strong steps and leap forward in technical positions. It is a great networking opportunity for women to share their success stories and spread the positive vibe.”
Zynga India Games senior vice president and country head Kishore Kichili said, “We hope that this event will inspire other companies and individuals to join us in this important mission. Gaming is a gender-agnostic industry, and our female talent is testament to this approach.”
The event has sparked discussions and inspired action, demonstrating the power of collective action in promoting positive change. The push towards inclusivity is a crucial step towards creating a more supportive and inclusive workplace culture in the gaming industry in India and the company wants to contribute to this vision.