MDEC senior manager of digital content urges women in gaming industry to step up

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) senior manager of digital content development Shahrizan (centre) with her team. Photo: MDEC

Prevalent stereotypes and gender biases are among the reasons women continue to be under-represented in the gaming industry, says Shahrizan Mohd Sharif, senior manager of Digital Content Development at Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).

"The perception that gaming is a male-dominated field can discourage women from pursuing careers in it. To address this, it's important to challenge stereotypes, promote positive role models, and highlight the diverse contributions women make to the industry," says Shahrizan.

"A limited representation of women in the gaming industry, especially in leadership positions, can create a perception that it is not a viable career path for women. Hence, visibility and representation of women in influential roles through media, conferences, and industry events can provide aspirational figures and inspire more women to join the industry," she adds.

According to her, this under-representation of women can lead to a lack of diverse perspectives and content. Encouraging and promoting diverse hiring practices, inclusive recruitment strategies, and creating diverse teams can help address the issue.

One of Shahrizan's key responsibilities is overseeing Digital Content Grant programmes. Photo: MDECShahrizan feels that more education and greater awareness on the opportunities for women in this industry are crucial.

"We need to also educate stakeholders about the benefits of having diverse teams and the value that women can bring. For example, as of 2020, female gamers account for 40%-45% of the total, according to Google and Nike partners. Having more women in the gaming industry can challenge biases and promote a more inclusive market," says Shahrizan.

"Educational institutions can foster supportive communities that encourage collaboration, networking, and mentorship. By creating platforms for students to connect with industry professionals, participate in hackathons or game jams, and join student organisations, institutions empower women and provide them with opportunities to learn and grow.

"Seeing women in influential roles in the industry will also inspire and motivate aspiring game developers," she says.

While she herself hasn't faced any difficulties as a woman working in the gaming industry with a government agency, she sees the lack of women in the industry as a problem.

"I've not faced any major difficulties as a woman in the industry, in fact, my experience in the gaming, animation and creative technology industries has been pleasant so far. But, what I've observed is a huge lack of representation of women in the industry and this can lead to a lack of good female role models and mentors," she says.

"To increase female representation in leadership positions, it's also important to set goals and targets for gender diversity at the executive level, ensure diverse representation on hiring and promotion committees, and provide development and growth opportunities for women employees," she adds.

Providing more targeted training programmes and workshops – which focus on technical skills, leadership development, entrepreneurship and other areas – to empower women in the gaming industry, will help women thrive in the field, she says.

MDEC, a government agency under the Communications and Digital Ministry, was established in 1996 to lead Malaysia’s digital economy. Shahrizan's role is to develop the digital content industry specifically in the areas of game development, animation and creative technology.

One of her key responsibilities is overseeing the Digital Content Grant programmes.

"These grants are designed to provide financial support and resources to individuals and organisations involved in digital content creation. I work closely with ministry and government agencies to ensure that the grant programmes are aligned with the strategic goals of the ministry and the broader digital content industry," she says.

Shahrizan (in grey tudung) at an MDEC event. Photo: MDECShe also keeps the ministry and other agencies informed about the progress and developments within the digital content industry. This involves updating them on the market trends, emerging technologies and industry achievements, and presenting comprehensive reports to the ministry and other key stakeholders. This information shapes policies, guidelines, and strategies for supporting and promoting the digital content industry in the country.

She says that the creative technology landscape offers entrepreneurial opportunities for women to establish their own ventures and pursue their creative visions.

"Initiatives that support women entrepreneurs, such as funding schemes, business incubators, and mentorship programmes will encourage more women to start their own businesses in these fields."

Providing networking opportunities for women in the gaming industry such as hosting industry events, encouraging participation in conferences and conventions, and supporting professional networks and communities that foster collaboration and support, will also help, she says.

Mentorship and sponsorship programmes can support the career development of women and underrepresented groups in the gaming industry. Pairing experienced professionals with mentees and providing guidance, support, and opportunities for advancement can help overcome barriers and create a more inclusive pipeline of talent, she concludes.