Did you know that the tech industry lacks representation? In fact, that 28% of the tech workforce are made up of women globally? This may come across as a surprise, given that women make up half of the world’s population. You may be sitting there wondering, why is it that this is the case? Why is the proportion of women in tech not proportionate to society as a whole? The answer to this question is not a simple one- it stems from a systemic lack of opportunities for women in this industry, and a gender inequality in society as a whole.
The tech sector is rapidly changing and evolving, driven by constant innovation and ideas. Yet, in spite of their contribution, women are inherently underrepresented in this industry. A lack of support, celebration and mentorship contributes greatly to the fact that it is incredibly difficult to find your feet and feel empowered in a world that seems structured to make you feel as if you are not included.
In this blog, we will explore the history of women in tech, and the deep-rooted prejudice against women in this industry. We will also look at the current landscape, exploring if there are any positives to take away, and what we can do to improve it.
Historical Heroes:
From the past, it is possible to learn of women who were trailblazers in the world of technology. For them, the odds that are stacked against women of today were multiplied tenfold, and it is up to us to recognise and celebrate their achievements and legacy.
Let us begin with Ada Lovelace. Born to a famous poet, Lord Byron, Ada’s mother was insistent that her daughter should not follow in her father’s whimsical footsteps, and so encouraged and supported her to gain a scientific and mathematical education, something that was rare at the time of her birth- 1815 in Regency Britain.
At this time of heightened glamour and glitz, women were discouraged from focussing on their studies. Ada defied this, and worked with Charles Babbage on the earliest iterations of a computer. She translated the work of Italian engineer, Luigi Menabrea, and added her own extensive notes about her ideas for a computer. She is thought of as the world’s first programmer, and saw into the future, viewing it as a vehicle for art, music and beyond. The influence of Ada’s work has increased exponentially with time, with societal expectations and lack of professional recognition curbing her fame. Now, Ada is celebrated and recognised for her work.
Another woman who deserves our recognition is Annie Easley. Though perhaps less well known than Ada Lovelace, her story is of equal inspirational merit. Annie was born in 1933 in Birmingham, Alabama. Growing up in segregated Southern America, she faced numerous challenges, but was always determined to pursue her education as priority. She attended Xavier University in New Orleans, where she studied pharmacy. Later on in her life, she heard of two girls who were described as ‘human computers’ who worked at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), the precursor to NASA. Annie was inspired and applied to work there- ending up as a mathematician and computer scientist.
Over her career at NACA, later NASA, she was involved in several influential and pivotal projects, such as the Centaur Project which involved software that helped launch satellites and much more. Annie was not only an incredible woman in her own right, but she also helped pioneer the way for women and African Americans in an industry that seemed designed to keep them out. Her story is testament to the power of perseverance, hard work and overcoming societal challenges that were unfairly thrown her way.
The Current Climate:
So, what does the current technology industry look like in terms of representing women? Let’s start with some statistics.
- Women hold only 28% of all jobs in computer and mathematical occupations.
- In 2023, women constituted only 14% of tech leaders.
- In 2023, only 23% of developers identified as female.
- 43% of women in the tech industry think about leaving their jobs once a week.
- 8% of women in the UK tech sector believe they are getting equal pay for their work.
These are but a few of the statistics we could use to illustrate the fact that women are grossly underrepresented in the tech workforce. It is wrong and unfair to think that there is such a lack of presentation and diversity- to such an extent that women are a clear and obvious stark minority.
Not only is this wrong, but it also has lasting and severe impacts on so many different elements- on a personal, business, societal and economic level. On a personal level, this extreme lack of representation can completely discourage any woman from wanting to enter a field where they are not represented, and can make women already in the industry feel isolated and alone.
On a business level, a lack of female input creates less diverse teams. Teams function best when there are differing perspectives and experiences, and a lack of woman means a severe lack of diverse thinking. Society as a whole is impacted, as woman in general are prohibited from doing what they have aspirations of by the fact that they have nobody to look up to in the industry.
And lastly, in an economic sense, women are just as valuable as men when it comes to adding to the technologic value. A workforce combined of diverse perspectives, innovation and motivation would propel every economy forward, driving economic growth.
The Hope Factor:
How can we start this change? It all starts with awareness. The more we are aware of the difficulties our industry faces, the easier we will find to change it. Supporting one another, regardless of gender is a good place to start. Celebrating the women around us is another great way to bring awareness to the women who are creating a path for the girls of tomorrow. Inclusive policies, fair pay and recognition are all integral in creating a workforce that is more diverse and representative. Mentorship is another key ingredient in the recipe for a fairer future, but it is down to us all to inspire one another into feeling we belong.
Although there is a long way to go in order to create a workforce that is representative of society as a whole, it is so important not to give up. Positivity, understanding and conversations are the first place to start when it comes to changing the future. One change, one day at a time, is the only way. As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day- but every brick is every conversation, every mentor, every hero, every success, and we are building a brighter, more inclusive and fairer future for the woman of tomorrow. Let’s never give up on achieving a fair, equitable and diverse future.
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