Throughout March, numerous web3 initiatives have emerged to acknowledge and highlight women’s accomplishments in honor of Women’s History Month. This annual commemoration, established in 1987, underscores the significant contributions women have made to society.
The growth of Web3 is fueled by diversity
Monica Talán, Founder and Contributor at the Spanish-language web3 platform CryptoConexión, emphasized that promoting women in web3 is more than achieving gender balance. She believes it will broaden the talent pool, fostering fresh perspectives and innovative approaches.
“This will create more equitable economic opportunities, build inclusive communities, and ensure that the future of technology reflects and serves the needs of all,” said Talán.
Statistics from 2023 indicate that women hold around 26% of jobs in the crypto industry, with only about 6% in top leadership roles. Talán noted that women constitute 47% of CryptoConexión’s audience, emphasizing the platform’s commitment to diversity.
Highlighting 60 Latinas contributing to the web3 sector at the start of Women’s History Month, Talán stressed the importance of representation in inspiring more Latinas to join web3 and create a more inclusive digital future.
Sandy Carter, COO at web3 domain platform Unstoppable Domains, highlighted the unique innovations by women in the crypto sector. She mentioned hosting a space on the X platform focused on “the power of tokenization and women” on March 8 – International Women’s Day. Guests included Dr. Anino Emuwa, founder of 100 Women Davos, and representatives from The Africa Women CEO Network and Boss Beauties, who collaborated on the Mattel Barbie and Boss Beauty NFT project.
Honored to be part of @UnstoppableWow3's initiative to empower women in #Web3 and #AI this International Women's Day.
— Sandy.AUSTIN (@sandy_carter) March 8, 2024
Grab yourself a shirt to support education designed by @gianinaskarlett !!!!
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Logos on the back from: @_HerDAO @shefiorg… pic.twitter.com/Kp9TAvMCJD
Celebrating Women in The Metaverse
While promoting women’s visibility may encourage their participation in web3, the Metaverse has emerged as a favored platform for hosting women-focused events.
According to Kim Currier, Head of Marketing at the Decentraland Foundation, Decentraland will feature the artworks of talented women during its second annual “Art Week” and “MESHfair” from March 26-29.
“MESHfair provides a unique opportunity for artists to unleash their creativity in a virtual setting,” Currier explained. She further noted that out of the 32 international artists selected to showcase new works during MESHfair, 16 will be women artists.
Bay Backner, an artist and web3 producer, is the founder of MESHfair. Backner explained to Cryptonews that MESHfair serves as a platform to connect artists working with the 3D file format for virtual reality (VR) with galleries and collectors.
“Despite the growing interest in VR, artworks in this format remain underrepresented in both traditional art fairs and influential NFT collections,” Backner noted.
Backner highlighted that only 13.7% of living artists represented by galleries in Europe and North America are women. “None of the 100 most expensive works ever sold have been created by a woman, indicating a significant gender disparity in the art world,” she added. Backner expressed concern that a similar gender gap is emerging within the VR sector, possibly due to the lack of women-led Metaverse companies.
She cited McKinsey’s report stating that only 10% of virtual world or Metaverse companies that received funding during the 2017-2022 crypto boom were led by women. Backner emphasized the importance of addressing this issue to prevent the perpetuation of outdated narratives.
To address this gap, Backner emphasized the significance of MESHfair for promoting discoverability. “It supports the growing community of creators in immersive web3 technology, ensuring that women artists are documented and discoverable,” she explained.
A female artist known as “JaneDAO” shared her perspective with Cryptonews, highlighting the opportunity provided by MESHfair and Women’s History Month to inspire through sharing and creating.
“It’s a chance to showcase the diverse creativity and insights women bring to these fields, reinforcing the universal power of art to communicate meaningful messages,” JaneDAO stated. She emphasized that her participation not only highlights her contributions but also underscores the broader impact of women in shaping the future of technology and art, sparking essential conversations about their influential role.
The spotlight remains on women in Web3
Even as Women’s History Month draws to a close, initiatives focused on women will persist in their efforts to encourage greater participation in Web3.
Talán acknowledges the obstacles women often face in the blockchain sector. She suggests simplifying Web3 concepts and platforms to make the sector more accessible as a crucial step in changing the current landscape.
“The technical terminology, lack of user-friendly platforms, and rapid pace can be daunting, especially in a field historically dominated by men,” Talán explained. “Despite these challenges, significant strides are being made through ongoing efforts dedicated to onboarding women into Web3.”
Initiatives like SheFi, Unstoppable Women of Web3, HER DAO, Black Women Blockchain Council, and the Association for Women in Crypto play vital roles in demystifying the space, providing ongoing education, resources, and community support, according to Talán.
“In Latin America, collaborations like ‘WAGMI LATAM’ with communities such as Cripto Curiosas, WomenBiz, WEDAO LATAM, WARMI, Mujeres en Crypto, and Metagals underscore the importance of creating inclusive environments at local and regional levels,” Talán added.
Backner also mentioned her upcoming projects geared toward women this year.
“My upcoming projects include Decentraland Gaming Week (June 2024), supporting diverse creators in building interactive Web3 games, and The Censored Art Show (September 2024), providing assistance to digital artists impacted by censorship or shadowbanning on social media and other platforms,” she said.
Backner highlighted that censorship disproportionately affects women and minority digital artists, especially when they incorporate their own bodies into their works.
Furthermore, Carter shared Unstoppable’s commitment to increasing women’s involvement in Web3 and technology in general.
“We are expanding our educational initiatives, offering more workshops, courses, and mentorship programs tailored for women,” she said. “Networking events and safe spaces for discussions will remain a priority to ensure women feel supported and connected.”