Women in Games Virtual Global Conference

Women in Games is the leading force for gender equality in the games industry. Its Women in Games European Conference has provided a safe, supportive and celebratory space for women to socially connect, exchange knowledge, celebrate female talent and address challenges for over a decade. In that time, the conference has become pivotal to building and supporting a female community of practice in the games sector across the UK and Europe. Unfortunately, COVID-19 disruption means our conference cannot happen in its physical form in 2020\.

But existing equality challenges continue to impact the professional lives and personal wellbeing of females in the games sector. And these are being made worse by new problems emerging from pandemic-related disruption -- from women adapting to remote work experiencing increased 'digital discrimination' to a surge in domestic abuse and mental health challenges. Both the UK Government and United Nations increasingly recognise Covid-19 is having devastating social consequences for females. As a result, our conference is needed now more than ever to support the community.

In response, Women in Games wants to redefine the online conference. This project turns a major challenge into an opportunity to innovate a new and exciting model for virtual and immersive conference experiences. It harnesses game design, immersive technologies and data science to engage and connect, entertain and educate audiences in new ways to drive positive social change. It will help Women in Games understand, respond and support the female games community through the COVID-19 crisis. It will help us continue our mission to realise a games industry, culture and community free of gender discrimination, with equality of opportunity for _all_ women to achieve their full potential. And, ultimately, it will help us, our community and our industry bounce back from COVID-19\.