It’s not like I haven’t seen this kind of thing before, especially back in high school. You know, the stereotypes we’re are categorized under that we spend the rest of our lives either trying to break away from or live up to. Jocks, geeks, beauty queens, fat. Take your pick. I’d thought I’ve been desensitized to that kind of thing.
Guess not.
I was going over my mail, and someone from a mailing list I belong to pointed this out. Seems like the Philippine Computer Society (PCS) is holding a pageant search for what they call the “Digital Pinay”, “[someone] who exemplif[ies] the qualities expected of future women leaders of the Philippine [Information and Communication Technology] ICT industry.” What’s sickening though, is what they consider to be the qualities these future leaders should have, based on their criteria for judging: popularity (through SMS votes) counts for 20%, while beauty and poise count for 20% apiece. I don’t have a copy of the .doc file, so I can’t tell what the other 40% represents, but even if it were, say, technical competence or some other relevant criteria, the message is clear: in an era and culture where you can enjoy hours-long conversations with people you’ve never even seen personally, some people still can’t see past appearances.
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The last 40% is intelligence. Can you imagine that? The big 60% goes to appearance. Argh. This is sickening.
And how exactly do they judge that? An IQ test, hmm? :)
This is horrible. PCS might get away with this. The press con should be something interesting tomorrow
If you can go to tomorrow’s press con, please do. At least there would be people to follow up on this
hm. appearance is a quality. for men and women – and especially if they want/have to be leaders.
yes it does… but does it count more than, say, technical competence? because PCS specifically stated that these were the qualities they believe embodies the future of women in IT…do they mean to imply that we can’t rise above our station? because if you’re born ugly, you stay ugly… but you should be judged in the workplace more by your skills and competence than anything else :)
we were talking about leaders, right? so we have to accept that one needs more qualifications, more skills than the average person for such a position. technical competence is one thing – appearance another. and don’t forget authority.
I’m not discounting appearance… but I can’t in all good faith put too much trust in it. Leaders moreso. Fronti Nulla Fides :)
credo nos in fluctu eodem esse… :-)