Is the gender gap in tech closing?

While the transformation of technology has gained some momentum around the world, the gender disparity in the tech business has also received a lot of attention in recent years.

Although there has been progress in promoting openness and diversity, the question of whether the gender gap in computing is actually closing still needs to be answered.

The facts

It is vital that people with varying backgrounds have equal access to creative technical professions so they can make significant contributions to innovation. Then and only then will the technological goods and services of the future reflect the communities they cater to.

Diverse teams outperform those that don’t prioritise diversity and inclusion in terms of performance, talent acquisition, member engagement, and employee retention.

Data from Accenture say half of women who enter the IT industry drop out by the age of 35. The report added that over the previous 35 years, the proportion of women to males in tech roles has decreased.

Moreover, only 22% of AI experts worldwide are female, according to data from the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2020. This shows differences in specialised fields like artificial intelligence as well as a gender divide in the computer industry.

But other studies have also predicted that inclusivity could help double the number of women in tech by 2030.

The arguments

As a result of the historically strong male predominance in the tech sector, there are systemic biases that may impede the growth of women. These discriminatory attitudes hinder women from pursuing and succeeding in tech positions through hiring procedures and workplace culture.

Although there is some improvement in women being involved in technology, females are still less likely than males to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) courses. This is a persistent difference in STEM education. This discrepancy may result in fewer women pursuing careers in technology in later life.

To inspire upcoming generations of female engineers, it is imperative to raise the profile of women in IT through leadership positions, mentorship programmes, and media representation. When females observe their peers thriving in the field, it can be beneficial.

Many tech companies have implemented diversity and inclusion initiatives aimed at addressing the gender gap. From unconscious bias training to targeted recruitment efforts, these initiatives signal a commitment to fostering a more diverse workforce.

Experts say the position of women in technology has drastically evolved in the previous few decades. This includes the leadership’s emphasis on energising change and demonstrating commitment to and transparency regarding the means of achieving the objectives of improved gender parity.

According to Managing Director of Tech Innovation, Mary Hamilton, “Women like to see an environment where they’re going to feel comfortable, and so by hitting a certain number of women in leadership, that attracts more women. And so once you start to get the ball rolling, you get some momentum and you can get closer to that parity.”

The way forward?

Despite the disparity, businesses such as Google, Microsoft, IBM, and others have made progress in getting more women into leadership roles. For example, after taking over as CEO of IBM in 2020, Arvind Krishna has made diversity and inclusion initiatives a top priority.

Through mentoring and educational programmes, groups like Girls Who Code and Women Who Code are encouraging young women and girls to seek professions in technology. These projects are contributing to the early closing of the gender gap by offering resources and support.

Also, to overcome gender gaps in technology, governments and regulatory agencies have been urged to take action. For instance, laws requiring gender diversity on corporate boards have been put in place in various nations, and these laws may apply to computer companies as well.