Kung Leakhana: "I can clearly see gender inequalities in the tech industry"

Inspired by her own experience, Kung Leakhana directed a video on gender inequality for a competition launched by Transparency International Cambodia. This software engineer-to-be told us about the difficulties she encountered both in her family circle and in the IT world, as a woman in tech.

Can you introduce yourself?

My name is Kung Leakhana, I’m from the 2nd promotion of Happy Chandara. I’m a year 3 student in Software Engineering, at Kirirom Institute of Technology. I didn't really plan to study this, but I had a scholarship so I chose it. I didn't really know about IT before, but my big brother, who is also an IT student, guided me. I felt it was a major everybody should learn because it was updated and future-oriented.

How would you describe your studies?

I would say it's about innovating and applying those innovations in the real world to develop it. I have a lot of different subjects to study each year, and it's never the same. We learnt mostly about coding during our first year, but also, history, critical thinking, networking, Japanese language... Last year it was about mobile app developement, accounting and a lot of other subjects. My favorites are website development and coding classes.

What is your dream job?

I wish I could be a cloud engineer and develop websites. Right now, I'm working as a chief marketing officer for Coin Cloud, a company dedicated to cloud computing. I'm doing video editing, or graphic design, which is not related to my software engineer skills. I already had a position in digital marketing during my first year, because I couldn't find any technical position.

How would you explain the fact that you don't use your technical skills?

I can say it's because of gender inequality. If I apply to a company and if there's also a man applying, they will choose him, of course. They say that girls are not capable to do technical jobs. For example, if we have to work during the night to check a technical problem, they would rather have a man because they think it’s dangerous for women to come. Gender inequalities are everywhere, but I can clearly see it in my major and the tech industry. I mean I'm studying software engineering, but I'm working in digital marketing and I feel that I'm loosing some chances to get some experience as a software engineer. It's difficult for us, women, in this industry. We have to fight more than men.

How do you face those inequalities?

I try to go forward, little by little. I can do my homeworks with the help of my brother. He also thinks that I should work as a front end or back end developper. I applied for 10 companies for coding, but I didn't had any chance. Some people think that I can't do it. I know I can, but I can’t fight against recruiters and job opportunities.

You made a video about gender inequality for a contest organized by Transparency International about the theme "Women and Youth in 21st century", which was selected as a runner-up. Can you tell us more about that project?

I wanted to participated last year but I didn't have the equipment. This year, we built a team with my friends in Kirirom, and we had some photographers. I created the story. As women, we’re facing those problems in our lives. When I told to my family that I was about to study in IT field, my grand mother didn't understand why I wanted to leave our province to study in Kirirom. She thought that I should study another major, where I would use my heart and not my brain, less hard, next to my home. It inspired me to make that video. I wanted to share my feelings: even for the small things of everyday life, we're not equal and it's a big deal for women.

What do you want to tell the other students from Chandara Students' Homes?

I would like to encourage them to fight and overcome the obstacles they'll face during their college life, because nothing is easy. I hope they will try their best to achieve what they want. You can choose what you want to do, just trust yourself! For the younger generations: I would suggest them to set their goals when they're in high school, to think clearly about their future and to choose a major they like. I would recommend them to look carefully at the university they want to study in. Even if they got a scholarship, they should study a major they love or are interested in, it will be easier and useful for them. You have a lot of chance, grab it!

What do you want to tell to our sponsors?

I'd like to thank my godparents and all the sponsors who help all Happy Chandara students. Without them, I might not have reached those steps. I can see that our community has improving a lot because of their help, and it means a lot to us. Thank you!