Since the early 2000s the number of females in the tech sector has steadily increased, now reaching 35%, compared to 9% 25 years ago. There are still many barriers to overcome before women feel comfortable in the workplace.
When I began my career in IT 20 years ago, I was the very first woman Java developer in my town. Then, I was young and inexperienced but highly motivated. Elena Arabgadi is a Software Engineer at Aqilla. She explains that she felt the pros and cons in her own skin of working in an environment dominated by men. Now that the situation has changed and women are able to fill many tech roles, the industry is a more diverse place.
Women can feel isolated in an industry dominated by men. Catherine Roy, Chief Operation Officer at WorkJam, says that finding common interests among male colleagues can be helpful in creating good relationships. Employers must ensure that all decisions are taken in formal meetings and not over a beer at night. All activities such as team events should be enjoyable and inclusive for both genders. Avoiding a big fuss about gender is important, but focusing on competence should be the priority. Overall, I am happy to report that there are more women working in tech today than I did when I started in 1997 .”
Becky Wallace, Director of people at LearnUpon, explains how “learning is one of the most powerful tools that we have for advancing women in the workplace.” Women need development programs that emphasize negotiation skills, career advancement, and leadership training. Women must have the confidence and skills to be able to speak up for themselves, take on leadership roles and reduce the wage gap. Managers are also responsible for addressing unconscious bias. Unconscious bias training doesn’t mean you have to check a box. It’s more about making sure the people who make decisions about hiring, promotions, and salaries are being fair.”
Effective training and workplace initiatives can help more women feel confident about entering the industry. They can also provide greater support to those who are already in the workforce.
Champion change in education
For greater change in the workplace, “gender must be introduced in tech at a young age. Gender cannot play a part in a student’s perception of their ability to master a skill.” According to Krista K. Kihlander of HackerOne, schools should give girls plenty of chances to develop technical skills.
She continued: “young women also need to be represented in these fields.” The technical skills are essential, but it is also important to have role models who can give advice. Women in STEM fields should get involved in school initiatives and extracurricular events to inspire the younger generation. Join your community. Be an example for these young women. The more diversity we create in a community by fostering it directly, the better. .”
Kate Lincoln, the Head of Group Governance for Node4, agrees, stating that “we must sow seeds in school, making a technology career a viable choice for the next women’s generation.” Early exposure and education are crucial. Early exposure to STEM subjects can help build interest in STEM and confidence. As a careers advocate and governor of a primary, I visit schools regularly to talk to students about the opportunities available for women in STEM. We must continue to present these opportunities to girls in order to help them make informed career choices. Women in tech who are role models or mentors can help guide young girls, and recognizing and celebrating their achievements can inspire the next generations .”
Working towards gender equality
The goal must be to eliminate the gender gap in the tech industry once women feel supported and encouraged to enter the field. There are some steps being taken to achieve equality at work, but they’re still too little and too few. The gender pay gap has decreased from 6.9% to 1.3% between 2023 and now. Arabgadi from Aqilla elaborates on this by explaining that “the gender gap remains the same”. It is very sad to see women underpaid. It’s not just in IT. The organisations should offer the same conditions to both men and women. The demography issue may also be reversed if the gender gap closes one day. Women’s presence in tech, like other industries, is essential. The combination of male and female approaches is the only way to achieve excellent results. “I would tell women to never give up on their career, even if they are just starting out.
Wallace from LearnUpon says that “International Women’s Day” is not just a time to celebrate progress, but also an opportunity to take action. There’s a long road ahead to achieve gender equality. It’s up to us all to make real changes. Leadership means doing more than showing support. It means championing women and amplifying the voices of those who are underrepresented. We can create a welcoming and inclusive environment by encouraging active listening, idea sharing and celebrating the contributions of everyone. .”
Chrissay Brrinkmann, Presales Engineering at leaseweb , shares this opinion, saying, “International Women’s Day offers an opportunity to reflect on women who have helped to break barriers and show that success is not measured by anything but your talent, your hard work and the results you achieve.”
Brinkmann concluded that, “For me, I celebrate International Women’s Day both by appreciating the progress we’ve made and also by recognising there’s more work to be done.” I celebrate International Women’s Day by encouraging women to achieve more, sharing their successes, and mentoring them. It’s important to keep moving forward, and create space for voices that deserve inclusion at the table. Not just one day a year but throughout the entire year .”
The original version of this article Women in Tech Industry appeared first on HR news.
