By Anshuman Das, CEO and Co-founder, Careernet
In recent years, the tech industry has made significant strides toward gender equality, with several companies recognising the importance of increasing women’s representation in the sector. According to a CFA Institute review of voluntary business responsibility and sustainability reporting disclosures made by 134 companies, the IT sector had the highest female involvement rate in India at 30% for the financial year 2021–22, followed by financial services firms at 22.4%.
While progress has been made, the sector continues to face challenges such as unconscious biases, lack of opportunities for professional advancement, and pay disparity. Addressing these issues is critical to creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce and ensuring that the sector becomes a global hub of innovation and growth.
Low visibility of women in technology
The underrepresentation of women in the tech industry is a complex issue that demands a comprehensive approach. Despite the growing number of qualified women graduating from technical institutions, there is still a stark lack of gender diversity in the tech workforce. Although there has been a significant increase in female enrollment in engineering institutes, this growth has not been reflected proportionately in the number of women-led startups or jobs fulfilled.
While the proportion of female students in IITs has increased from 5% four years ago to 16% at present, the ‘Women in Tech Industry’ report by Deloitte highlights that women only hold 25% of all tech jobs, and this is a mere 2.6% increase from 2019. This highlights the need for more concerted efforts to improve gender diversity in the technology sector.
Challenges women leaders face in the tech industry
The World Bank reported that women represent less than a third of the workforce globally in professions related to technology. The report also notes that women are more likely to work in support roles rather than technical or managerial roles in the tech sector, further limiting their career advancement opportunities.
There are several challenges faced by women in workplaces due to the lack of set examples for them to look up to. One major challenge is the lack of female role models and mentors. Women may feel discouraged from pursuing careers in technology if they do not see other women in leadership roles, and they may struggle to overcome the obstacles they encounter without the guidance and support of experienced female mentors.
Networking is also a critical component of career advancement in the tech industry, but women may face obstacles in connecting with colleagues and industry leaders, particularly at male-dominated tech conferences and other gatherings. This can limit their opportunities to build relationships, gain visibility, and pursue new opportunities.
Another major challenge is achieving a work-life balance. Women who have caregiving responsibilities may find it difficult to juggle their professional and personal obligations, which can lead to them dropping out of the workforce or struggling to advance in their careers. This underscores the need for employers to offer flexible working arrangements and caring policies that enable women to succeed in both their personal and professional lives.
Strategies to pave the way for women in technology
Advancements in technology offer an unprecedented opportunity to address social and economic challenges, including gender diversity in the workplace. The ongoing digital transformation provides new ways to enhance gender inclusivity and foster an environment that empowers women in the technology industry.
Online learning and remote work options have opened doors for women to learn new skills and pursue job opportunities regardless of their location or family responsibilities. Technology has also facilitated entrepreneurship for women by providing access to financing, marketing, and distribution channels through online platforms. Additionally, incorporating AI-based recruitment processes can help eliminate access barriers caused by unconscious biases.
Highlighting the achievements of women in tech is also key to promoting diversity and inclusion. By showcasing women who have garnered significant achievements in the field, we can inspire more women to pursue careers in tech and demonstrate the value of diversity in the industry. Recognising women in technical and leadership roles, and those who have contributed to the industry through mentorship and community building is also essential.
Overall, fostering diversity and innovation necessitates that companies create a culture of inclusivity and provide equal opportunities for women. This can involve implementing mentorship and training programs, including unconscious bias training. Addressing the gender pay gap and ensuring equal pay for the same roles and responsibilities as male colleagues is crucial.
To empower women in the tech industry, it is essential to move beyond a superficial approach to diversity and focus on building a gender-diverse leadership talent pipeline across levels. Improving gender diversity in technology requires a long-term approach that involves multiple stakeholders, including educational institutions, industry leaders, and policymakers.
By doing so, the Indian tech industry can set global standards for gender inclusivity, pave the way for women in leadership roles, and benefit from increased diversity of thinking in the workplace. In return, a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in technology can unlock the full potential of its talent pool and drive greater innovation and success.
