The modern world has seen some clear advances made in gender equality for women entrepreneurs and employees. Although more clearly needs to be done, there have been some concrete shifts by many employers to address the gender pay gap and also the lack of female board members. One area that many feel is vital to look at further is the opportunities for women in the tech industry.
Why do people feel that this is needed? It is thought that women only hold around 20% of jobs in the tech industry. This is not a great figure and shows just how underrepresented women are in this vibrant sector. Calls are now being heard for businesses across the globe to do more to open up the tech sector to women and create more opportunities for them. If this is done, many hope that the amount of women involved in tech will rise to a more equal number.
Female trailblazers show it can be done
What is very positive in terms of more women working in the tech sector is that it is possible. Many successful women have used their skills and determination to break into this traditionally male-dominated industry. Any female wanting to enter tech now would do well to take inspiration from Lady Barbara Judge. She has been a real pioneer for women in this sector, from holding the Chair’s role at the Pension Protection Fund to previous work in private equity and current work with tech pension solution Hibob. We can only hope that more women have the opportunity to follow her fine example in years to come.
What challenges must be overcome first?
Of course, providing more opportunities to women in tech will not be a simple, overnight job. There are some real challenges to overcome first, as below:
- More female role models needed – a key aspect of encouraging more women into tech is giving them role models to follow. Having prominent female tech success stories in the public realm will help to convince other girls and women that they can do it too. For many women, it is this extra boost of confidence that will make all the difference in moving into the tech industry.
- More realistic attitudes to work-life balance – one thing that may stop some women taking up tech-based roles is the perception of work-life balance. Many women are still under pressure to be the main person running the home and providing child care as well as working. With tech roles being very involved and often seeing long days when a project is in full swing, it can see women being excluded due to this. It is also key to challenge the notion that women should not work weekends or evenings as they have the sole responsibility for child care. Once more, this outdated attitude that they do not have enough time to commit can stop them making the most of tech-based opportunities.
- Schools to take a greater lead – education is supremely important in shaping attitudes and steering people onto a future career path. In the past, some schools have not done all that they could have to encourage girls into tech and make it a viable career choice for them. If more schools can start to engage girls in science and IT more while also showing them that there are opportunities in tech, then this could have a big impact overall.
Can tech itself do more?
Of course, for more opportunities in tech to be created for women, the sector itself needs to do more. While some companies such as GoDaddy have found ways to help more women enter tech or progress when they are there, lots more could still be done.
Networking is a classic example — this can still be heavily male dominated and often uncomfortable for women attendees at events. Could the tech sector begin to put on events aimed solely at women delegates or have areas where women attendees can congregate to chat? By doing this, women would be able to make the most of networking to gain new opportunities or promotions.
Many feel that the actual working environments within tech companies could also be improved to make women feel more at home. If this were coupled with initiatives such as flexible working hours or a mentorship scheme for women by women in businesses, then there could be much more access to tech for females.
Tech opportunities for women essential
While the natural need for more to be done is centered on equality, it would also benefit companies. Having more diversity in your workplace ensures that more creative solutions are found to problems than might otherwise have been settled on. As the move for women’s rights extends across the whole of society, tech looks like one sector that will be affected greatly by it.
