Women now make up 35% of the global tech workforce, a figure that continues to grow as more women enter the sector. However, there is still a glaring gender imbalance. An inclusive workplace not only looks better, it produces better results for the company as a whole. Research suggests that gender diversity in tech leads to a 19% increase in revenue.
But this doesn’t just concern women. It’s about inclusion and collaboration. When companies work to attract more women into tech, they don’t exclude men. They create spaces where diverse ideas thrive.
Instead of viewing diversity as a competition, it should be recognized as a collaborative effort that benefits everyone, including men. The tech world thrives on innovation and creativity, and balanced gender representation leads to richer ideas and solutions. We need to build a bigger table where everyone has a place, transforming the industry into a win-win scenario for all.
Landscape Assessment: Women in Tech Today
Despite this progress, women’s participation in technology still lags behind men’s participation. Globally, women make up almost half of the workforce. Yet only a third of tech jobs are held by women. The gap in leadership positions is even greater. Women occupy less than 30% of leadership positions in the technology sector.
The research also reveals pay inequality for women in the tech industry. A Hired study shows that women earn on average 3% less than their male counterparts. Additionally, women applying for tech roles receive lower salary offers 63% of the time. In specific positions, the gap is widening. Women data scientists earn nearly 20% less than men, while men in product management earn 7% more.
These differences often stem from unconscious biases that suggest men are better suited to tech roles. Women often face predefined situations, such as being interrupted in a meeting or having their ideas rejected, which can further hinder their careers. Additionally, a lack of mentorship leaves many women without essential advice and networking opportunities.
Encouraging women in technology: strategies for collaboration and inclusion
Over time, promising developments have taken place. Today, organizations’ DEI policy priorities are opening the door to meaningful change. There is a long way to go. But the tide is turning.
To increase female representation in the technology sector, it is important that young girls enter technology early. Organizations can partner with schools to offer workshops and mentoring programs. It is also important to support female engineering students through industry mentoring.
Indian companies are increasingly working to ensure that women have a seat at the table. TCS offers mentoring programs and networking opportunities for women through the TCS Women Program. Similarly, the Infosys Foundation has supported education and research initiatives aimed at reducing the gender gap in STEM education. Meanwhile, Accenture’s Women in Technology program focuses on mentoring and supporting women throughout their careers.
While large companies have seen progress in including women in their workforce, SMEs and start-ups have yet to catch up. A survey highlights this: the representation of women in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups has decreased, from 39% in 2021 to only 27% in 2022.
Despite these challenges, there is a positive side. Many SMEs and startups now recognize the importance of teams and establish explicit gender diversity goals in their recruitment processes. A new approach that is gaining momentum is the introduction of women’s return programs. In the past, companies were often reluctant to rehire women who had taken a career break, but this trend is changing. Organizations are increasingly recognizing the value of these talent pools and creating ways for women to re-enter the workforce.
The government is playing its role through programs like Vigyan Jyoti Yojana which encourages girls in STEM fields.
Additionally, Indian Women Network’s (IWN) SPARK program, launched by CII Western Region, empowers women and girls in STEM fields. The program offers a range of initiatives. These include the Road to School initiative, which engages girls through interactive learning and provides financial support in the form of scholarships and grants. Additionally, it offers job placement assistance, mentoring, and flexible work options. SPARK also promotes gender-inclusive working practices, particularly within MSMEs and startups, thereby fostering environments in which women can excel.
Addressing behavioral bias is essential to creating a more inclusive technology environment. An effective way to combat unconscious bias is to train teachers and policymakers, helping them recognize subtle biases. It is equally important to address the persistent problem of “manels” (men-only panels). By ensuring women are included in all decision-making bodies, we can promote equality and empower women to succeed in the tech industry.
Highlighting the achievements of prominent women in technology reinforces the importance of these efforts. For example, Mira Murati, as CTO of Open AI, disrupted the AI space. In India, Dr Tessy Thomas, known as the “missile woman of India”, has broken the glass ceiling. Then there is Kalpana Kalahasti, Associate Project Director for the Chandrayaan 3 mission, who presents the contributions of women to space exploration. These remarkable individuals, along with many emerging technology researchers, are proving that women can excel in technology.
Create a favorable environment
Creating an environment where women in tech can thrive is essential to their career progression. It all starts with effective retention strategies that set women up for success.
A supportive workplace is key to empowering women in tech and helping them grow. Organizations should invest in skills development programs to remove barriers to advancement, ensuring women have access to professional development and reskilling opportunities for their career progression.
Mentoring initiatives can further build confidence and knowledge, helping women navigate their careers effectively. Encouraging open communication allows female staff to voice concerns and offer ideas, fostering a more inclusive work culture. To close the pay gap, companies must offer fair compensation and consider equity-based rewards. Ultimately, promoting women to leadership positions improves their skills and demonstrates a commitment to women’s career development, ultimately benefiting the entire organization.
Why is inclusion a two-way street?
The goal of gender diversity in tech isn’t to take everything away from men. It’s about creating inclusive and collaborative jobs. After all, when it comes to innovation, two heads are better than one. And women and men together bring a wealth of ideas that benefit everyone. A 2022 report from McKinsey reveals that organizations committed to gender diversity are more profitable, more innovative, and better equipped to meet challenges.
By the numbers, companies with gender-diverse teams are 33% more likely to outperform their competitors.
This highlights the value of diversity, as it creates a thriving workplace that fosters collaboration and creativity. It creates an inclusive environment that goes beyond promoting gender diversity; it makes perfect business sense. Diverse teams bring incredible ideas, experiences and perspectives, leading to innovative problem solutions and intelligent decision-making.
Men, essential allies in the debate on diversity
A crucial piece of the diversity puzzle that is often overlooked is the role of men as allies. The idea that men are excluded from technology because of diversity efforts is simply false. In fact, men play a vital role in promoting gender diversity.
Antonio Neri, CEO of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE), is one example. He advocates DEI. When he took over the 62,000-employee Fortune 500 company in 2018, none of his direct reports were women. He made it a priority to change that.
In 2023, HPE ranked No. 1 on the annual Just 100 list of top large enterprise employers and No. 32 on the Fortune 100 list of Best Companies to Work For.
Rethink, reframe and engage
Embracing gender diversity in the tech industry doesn’t mean sidelining men; it’s about creating a collaborative environment where everyone can thrive together. By actively working to include women in technology, we’re not just addressing an imbalance: we’re enriching the industry with new perspectives and innovative ideas that can move us forward.
Let’s move from seeing gender diversity as a competition to recognition as a shared journey. Men play a vital role as allies in this effort. Together, we can cultivate a future where collaboration sparks innovation, making the technology landscape more dynamic and equitable for all.
The road ahead is full of promise. Through our continued commitment and actions, we can create an inclusive and thriving technology industry.
According to Nichelle Nichols: “Science is not a boys’ game or a girls’ game. It’s everyone’s game.