Women in Tech Day Promotes Equality and Inclusion
Despite continued efforts to boost the number of women in technology roles, industry data suggests that gender representation is not improving at the desired pace.
According to The World Bank, women comprise less than a third of the global technology workforce. Research from Accenture further highlights the issue, showing that the ratio of women to men in tech has decreased over the past 30 years, with half of women entering the industry leaving by age 35.
With International Women in Tech Day gaining recognition, awareness of the issue is increasing. However, significant work remains at the core of closing the gender gap.
The role of Women in Tech Day
Women in Tech Day serves as a critical platform to highlight the contributions of women in the technology sector and encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM fields.
Established by Anna Radulovski in 2017, the initiative has grown to a network of over 100,000 members spanning 179 countries.
On 4 April 2024, Women in Tech Day was officially recognised, a move that organisers state "embodies the sentiment that Women in Tech Day is every day."
Speaking on the challenges and opportunities for women in technology, Erin Teague, Chief Product Officer at Character.AI and former Head of Product at YouTube, highlights the importance of embracing uniqueness.
"Recognise and embrace your uniqueness," she says. "I don't think the ratios are going to change anytime soon, but that doesn't have to be a disadvantage.
"Being a woman in a male-dominated field means you bring a unique voice, and it's important to embrace that."
Leadership and advocacy for change
Women in leadership positions within the tech industry continue pushing for change.
In 2023, Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta and ex-VP of Global Online Sales & Operations at Google, founded Lean In to help women achieve their ambitions and foster workplace equality.
She remarks: "The word 'female,' when inserted in front of something, is always with a note of surprise—female COO, female pilot, female surgeon—as if gender itself is unexpected. One day, there won't be female leaders. There will just be leaders."
Maxine Williams, VP of Accessibility and Engagement at Meta, echoes this sentiment.
She adds: "For someone who is underrepresented in the tech industry, it's a privilege to be in a community with others who bring diverse experiences, skills and perspectives to the sector."
Encouraging trends and the workplace inclusion index
Despite the disparities, there are positive signs that indicate progress.
PwC's Workplace Inclusion Indicator Index measures key inclusion dimensions such as belonging, fairness and decision-making at work. The study found that women in tech report a higher sense of workplace inclusion than those in other industries.
The results revealed that women in tech have the highest inclusion scores among both men and women across all industries assessed. Tech is also one of the few industries where women have slightly higher inclusion scores than men.
While inclusion levels are promising, retention remains a challenge. PwC's findings indicate that 31% of women in tech plan to change employers within the next 12 months—higher than the 25% cross-industry average.
The results reflect the high demand for tech skills across multiple sectors.
Closing the Gender Gap in STEM and Beyond
Despite encouraging inclusion scores, gender representation in STEM remains a pressing challenge. PwC's research highlights the systemic issues preventing women from entering and thriving in tech roles.
"In today's world, millions of young women are still excluded from the workforce due to lack of access to education and opportunities to develop digital skills," PwC highlights. "While progress is being made through collaboration between private, public, and civil society stakeholders, much more must be done to bridge the gender and digital divide."
The industry has seen progress in initiatives designed to increase exposure and upskilling opportunities for women in technology. However, achieving gender equality in tech may take decades without continued investment and policy support.
Tech & AI LIVE
Events such as the Invite-Only Executive Technology Briefing – Women in Technology at Tech & AI LIVE, taking place on 14 May in London, aim to drive conversations forward. The ongoing push for gender equality requires sustained efforts from businesses, educational institutions and policymakers alike.
The future of tech should be innovative and inclusive. By investing in diverse talent and fostering supportive environments, the industry can move towards a more equitable and balanced workforce.
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