Women Encountering Design Bias: Traversing a World Primarily Constructed for the Male Population

Women Encountering Design Bias: Traversing a World Primarily Constructed for the Male Population

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In today's world, gender bias can be found in various aspects of design, impacting women's daily experiences and opportunities. Here are some examples and case studies illustrating these effects across clothing, transportation, medical care, AI and technology, and more.

Clothing

Gender bias in fashion often results in limited or stereotypical representations of women. Fashion and media often emphasize slender body types and specific beauty standards, which can lead to body dissatisfaction among women. Clothing designed with male bodies as the default can leave women with less functional or comfortable clothing options. For example, women's workwear often lacks proper pockets or storage, reflecting a bias in design that prioritizes male needs.

Transportation

Gender bias in urban planning can lead to public spaces that are less safe for women. Poorly lit streets or unreliable public transportation can significantly impact women's mobility and freedom. Cars and other vehicles are often designed with men as the primary users, which can result in features that are less beneficial or safe for women. This includes elements like seat belts and crash test dummies that are not designed with female bodies in mind.

Medical Care

Health apps often default to male symptoms, which can lead to misdiagnosis in women. There is a historical bias in medical research, where studies often focus on male subjects, leading to a lack of understanding of female physiology and health issues. This affects treatment quality and outcomes for women.

AI and Technology

AI tools, such as resume-screening algorithms, can perpetuate gender biases by favoring male candidates or exhibiting biases based on gendered data. This affects career opportunities and can perpetuate discrimination. AI models like ChatGPT and Claude show biases in generating stories, with implicit gender biases in character roles and plot development.

Case Studies

• For over 20 years, women were given the same doses of Ambien as men, despite women taking longer to clear the drug from their systems, leading to increased risks of next-day drowsiness and accidents.
• Women's shoes often prioritize appearance over foot health and functionality, leading to a higher rate of foot problems and workplace injuries.
• Office temperatures are often calibrated for the average male metabolic rate, leaving many women uncomfortable and cold.
• Women's pain is often neglected or dismissed as emotional, leading to under-treatment.
• The vaginal speculum, used for gynaecological exams, was originally designed without anaesthesia and has remained largely unchanged for over two centuries.
• Facial recognition software has higher error rates in identifying women, especially women of color, due to biased training data sets.
• The interiors of cars, including seats, steering wheels, and controls, are often designed for male proportions, causing discomfort and safety issues for shorter drivers and those with different body types.
• Women are 47% more likely to be seriously injured in car crashes and 17% more likely to die due to inadequate car safety testing for female bodies.

Addressing Gender Bias

Addressing these biases is crucial for creating more inclusive and equitable environments. For instance, a new prototype of the vaginal speculum, called "Lilium," was recently designed by women engineers to address the discomfort experienced by many women during exams. It's essential to consider diverse perspectives and needs in design processes to ensure that everyone benefits equally.

Sources:

1. BBC News
2. The Guardian
3. NPR
4. The Atlantic
5. Forbes

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