Women in optics: Key figures talk about their industry roles

This year’s Optrafair will, for the first time, feature a Question Time-style Women in Optics discussion. Made up of women from the profession, the panel will discuss whether industry needs have changed in the past 10 years, what today’s big issues are and whether the women, and the men, who make up the profession are getting a fair deal. Optician spoke to some of the panel’s members to find out why they wanted to be involved in the event on April 1 at the Birmingham NEC.

Shamina Asif, Chair of Dudley LOC and Founder of the Optom Academy

With the gender demographics of optometry becoming more female-oriented, it is vitally important to address the role of women in optics. While there are many advantages to choosing optics as a career for women, we have to recognise that there are also barriers that exist in terms of progression.