Empowered
The B.L.T.
From left to right: Marie Leung, Jessica Yawching, Shannon Yip Ying, Jevana Mohammed, Celena Espinoza, Jeanna Marie Smith, Alanis Ramdeen, Shania Jerome, Krystal McCarthy
The Women of Coded Arts: Breaking Barriers & Leading the Way
Video gaming is often seen as a masculine interest and as far as the industry is concerned; very male dominated. And especially in our tiny island, finding a woman in this space seems even less expected from us. And it is exactly that unexpectedness that drives me.
As one of the early members and the first woman to be a part of the Coded Arts team I have had the privilege of bearing witness to the evolution of our culture marked by a concerted effort to foster a comfortable working environment that empowers its women. The idea of working in games, hailing from our region, and being female, as many would discourage, seemed improbable. Only those with the privilege to leave our borders were capable of this, we were told.
Jessica reviewing daily progress with Celena
Reflecting on my upbringing as a young woman in the Caribbean, I am mindful of the layers of intricacies that set out to define our role in society. Limiting self-belief, controlling authority figures, lack of autonomy, are common themes that affect women of our background. I spent a lot of time imagining the impact a studio like this would have had upon me, when I was rife with high school enthusiasm. Today I see that as a gift to future young women and I am so happy to be integral to the creation of a space for the new generation of women to be themselves and enjoy the work they do.
Denae Paul in “Focus Mode”
“The power hierarchy that often exists in the real world, is suspended upon walking through our doors.” -Jessica
Empowering women means giving them the opportunity to see themselves beyond the paradigm set out for us. The responsibility to nurture the voice, growth and belonging of women that work with us, is one we aptly acknowledge. To build a space like this has also meant finding and fostering the right type of men who respect these values to join this journey with us while holding each other accountable.
Shania and Krystal
Currently Coded Arts boasts near 50% gender balance with women at various talent levels and roles. We are an enigma, proud Caribbean women that exist and make games. The power hierarchy that often exists in the real world, is suspended upon walking through our doors. Everyone has equal say and opportunity. The culture serves as important foundation to how we operate and move; ensuring that equality is forefront of our discussions and hiring.
Alanis and Celena
Our dedication to gender equality isn't just a matter of representation—it's a strategic move that has enriched our culture, driven innovation, and propelled us toward a strong future. I recall distinctly in my nascent years at Coded Arts, being met with arched eyebrows, and inquisitive eyes, questioning how I feel to be the sole woman surrounded by men. I’d simply assure them with a smile that we’d get there. Now six years later, I can look around and feel extremely proud of the progress we've made. I am excited for the strides we'll take in forging a path forward in the gaming world.
by Jessica Yawching | Team Lead Coded Arts