Women in Software & Computing Canada Code of Conduct
Commitment to an Empowering Experience
Women in Software & Computing is dedicated to providing an empowering experience for everyone who participates in or supports our community. Our events aim to inspire women to excel in technology careers, and we welcome anyone who shares this purpose.
Emphasis on Safety and Inclusivity
We value the safety and security of our members and strive to maintain an inclusive community. Therefore, we do not tolerate harassment of members or event participants in any form. This Code of Conduct clearly defines what we mean by a harassment-free experience, ensuring our community and supporters understand our intent and know how to address issues if they arise.
Zero Tolerance for Harassment and Discrimination
Women in Software & Computing values the safety and security of all our members, and as such, we will not tolerate any form of harassment or discrimination. Our goal is to provide a safe and secure environment, achieved through the following actions:
- Providing a statement of intent and code of conduct for events
- Explicitly outlining and defining forms of harassment and discrimination
- Clearly outlining the consequences for those who engage in harassing or discriminatory behavior
- Providing a system for reporting any harassing or discriminatory behavior
- Committing to a periodic review of the code of conduct
Commitment to a Harassment-Free Experience
We are committed to our mission statement and equally dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, age, religion, socioeconomic status, caste, or creed. We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. Event participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled permanently at the discretion of the event organizers.
How to Report Harassment and Discrimination
If you experience or notice harassment, discrimination, or any of the unacceptable behaviors outlined herein at a Women in Software & Computing event, or have any other concerns, please report the incident as soon as possible. To report an incident, take one of the following actions: inform the event organizer on site; inform another organizer in your network; report the incident to Women in Software & Computing by completing our incident report form. If you prefer anonymous reporting or would like for Women in Software & Computing to address the issue, please use the incident report form. If you choose to share your name on the form, it will only be seen by Women in Software & Computing leadership involved with resolving the issue.
We encourage you to report any incident of harassment, discrimination, or unacceptable behavior as soon as possible. Women in Software & Computing leadership will take all appropriate actions to mitigate risk factors moving forward and continue to provide a safe and secure environment for all Women in Software Computing members. Women in Software & Computing leadership is happy to assist attendees in contacting venue security, local law enforcement, or otherwise aid those experiencing harassment so that they feel safe for the duration of the event. The Women in Software & Computing leadership team will take great care to ensure that the assistance provided meets the needs of attendees who were affected.
Examples of Prohibited Harassment
Forms of harassment include sexual language and imagery, sexist, racist, and exclusionary jokes, and acts that insult or belittle other event attendees in any way.