Bridging Gender Gap: Strategies To Empower Women In Driving Global Skills Agenda In Technology

Women can play a pivotal role in driving the global skills agenda in technology, addressing both the existing gender gap and the growing demand for tech skills.

By Lucie Fonseca

As technology is reshaping the future at lightning speed, one question remains: Will women be at the forefront of this transformation, or will they continue to be sidelined by systemic barriers? The global skills gap is widening, and as industries scramble to adapt, the underrepresentation of women in technology not only limits innovation but also stifles economic growth. 

Recent studies have shown that only 47.7 per cent of working-age women are participating in the global workforce, with some countries reporting even lower figures. According to the WEF Global Gender Gap Report 2024, it will take the world about 134 years to reach full parity. Moreover, in 2024, Southern Asia ranked seventh globally with a gender parity score of 63.7 per cent, showing a modest 3.9-point improvement since 2006. Most of the region’s economies remained outside the top 100, with only six closing two-thirds of their gender gap. The region ranked last in Economic Participation, with a 38.8 per cent parity score, reflecting low female labour-force participation and significant leadership disparities.

Women can play a pivotal role in driving the global skills agenda in technology, addressing both the existing gender gap and the growing demand for tech skills. Here are several ways this can be achieved:

Understanding The Challenges

Before delving into strategies, it’s essential to understand the barriers that have historically kept women from fully engaging in the tech industry. These challenges are multi-faceted, encompassing societal norms, unconscious biases, lack of access to quality education, and a dearth of role models. 

The gender gap is exacerbated by the digital divide in many parts of the world, where women have less access to the internet and technology than men. This not only limits their ability to acquire necessary digital skills but also hinders their participation in the global digital economy. To truly bridge the gap, we must tackle these challenges head-on, creating an ecosystem where women can thrive.

Promoting STEM Education Among Young Girls

The journey towards bridging the gender gap in technology begins with education. The stereotype that technology is a male-dominated field has perpetuated the gender gap, discouraging young girls from pursuing careers in this sector. Encouraging young girls to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is paramount. Schools and communities must actively engage girls in these subjects, providing them with the resources and support they need to excel. This includes access to quality teachers, mentors, and extracurricular activities that make STEM subjects more appealing and relatable.

As per a study by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2022 in the United States, women were 40 per cent less likely to work in engineering, 33 per cent more likely to work in math and nearly 92 per cent more likely to work in science than in technology sector jobs. Initiatives like coding camps, robotics clubs, and tech-focused competitions specifically designed for girls can ignite their passion for technology at an early age. Furthermore, incorporating female role models into the curriculum can inspire young girls by showing them that success in technology is not only achievable but also rewarding.

Addressing Unconscious Bias In Recruitment & Retention

One of the significant barriers to women entering and staying in the tech industry is unconscious bias. This bias often manifests in recruitment practices, where women are overlooked for roles or offered lower salaries compared to their male counterparts. To counter this, organisations must adopt gender-neutral recruitment practices, ensuring that job descriptions are free from gendered language and that hiring panels are diverse.

In addition to recruitment, retention of female talent is equally crucial. Women often leave the tech industry due to a lack of career progression, work-life balance issues, and a non-inclusive work culture. Companies need to implement policies that support career advancement for women, such as mentorship programs, flexible working arrangements, cracking down on hostile environments and clear paths for promotion.

Inclusivity Matters 

As per a survey conducted by PwC of 54,000 employees across 46 countries, men were found to be feeling higher levels of workplace inclusion compared to women. The research further reveals that women who feel higher levels of workplace inclusion are 1.4 times more likely to ask for a raise and 1.5 times more likely to ask for a promotion, as compared to the other women in the survey. The same research also reveals that women who experience higher levels of inclusion are 2.3 times more likely to feel job fulfilment and are 1.7 times more likely to seek out opportunities to learn and develop new skills. Creating a more inclusive work cultures that value diversity could include gender-sensitive policies and addressing unconscious bias.

Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Encouraging and supporting women entrepreneurs in tech can drive innovation and contribute to economic growth. Women-led startups often focus on solving problems that are overlooked by male-dominated teams. As per this research by Harvard Kennedy School, women entrepreneurs receive a dismal share of VC funding: 2.3 per cent for all-women founding teams and 10 per cent for mixed-gender founding teams. A World Bank-backed International Finance Corporation (IFC) revealed that in emerging markets, only 11 per cent of seed funding goes to women-led startups and the figures are even lower for late-stage funding–highlighting the persistent gender gap. Ensuring women have equal access to venture capital and other funding sources is critical. This can be achieved by advocating for more female investors and creating funding programs specifically for women.

Encouraging Female Leadership 

To drive the global skills agenda, it is essential to have women in leadership positions within the tech industry. Female leaders not only bring diverse perspectives but also serve as role models for other women aspiring to enter the field. Companies should actively work towards increasing the number of women in leadership roles by implementing targeted leadership development programs and succession planning.

Female leaders should be given platforms to share their experiences and insights, whether through speaking engagements, media appearances, or thought leadership articles. By amplifying their voices, we can inspire the next generation of women leaders and demonstrate the critical role they play in shaping the future of technology.

Leveraging Technology To Close The Digital Divide

Technology itself can be a powerful tool in bridging the gender gap. By leveraging digital platforms, we can provide women with access to education, mentorship, and job opportunities that may have been previously inaccessible. Online learning platforms, for example, can offer courses in coding, data science, and other tech-related fields, allowing women to upskill at their own pace.

Companies should also invest in initiatives that bring technology to underserved communities, particularly in developing countries where the digital divide is most pronounced. Providing affordable access to the internet and digital devices can empower women to participate in the global digital economy, driving innovation and growth.

Building Alliances & Partnerships

Bridging the gender gap in technology requires a collective effort. Governments, educational institutions, businesses, and non-profits cannot work in silos to create a supportive ecosystem for women in technology. Public-private partnerships can be particularly effective in this regard, combining resources and expertise to drive large-scale initiatives.

For example, companies can collaborate with universities to offer scholarships and internships for women pursuing tech degrees. Governments can provide funding for women-led tech startups, while non-profits can offer mentorship programs and networking opportunities. By building alliances, we can create a sustainable pipeline of female talent in technology.

Representation In Technology Events

The representation of women in technology events is not just about inclusion — it's about ensuring that the voices shaping the future of tech are as diverse as the world we live in. However, the underrepresentation of women in these spaces is an issue that needs attention. The presence of women at technology events — from conferences to panels to keynote speeches — serves as a powerful statement. It challenges the status quo and sets a precedent for younger generations to see themselves as active participants and leaders in the tech industry. Highlighting success stories and addressing stereotypes can change public perceptions and inspire more women to join the field.

Ensuring equal representation not only promotes gender equality but also enriches the discourse, leading to more holistic solutions and innovations that consider a broader range of experiences and needs.

Advocating For Policy Changes

Finally, advocating for policy changes at the national and international levels is critical to driving the global skills agenda. Women leaders not only bring a more diverse approach to work but also help influence policies that promote inclusivity in workplaces. This can include advocating for equal pay, maternity leave, and flexible work arrangements.

Women in leadership positions can inspire and mentor others, showing that success in tech is achievable. This is bound to encourage more women to pursue careers in technology. In addition, international organisations like the United Nations and the World Economic Forum can play a vital role in setting global standards for gender equality in technology. By holding countries and companies accountable, these organisations can help ensure that women are not left behind in the digital revolution.

A Collective Responsibility

The journey towards bridging the gender gap in technology is long, but it is one we must undertake with urgency and commitment. As we move forward, the focus must shift from merely addressing the gender gap to creating a tech ecosystem where women’s leadership is the norm, not an exception.

By working together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable tech industry, one where women are not just participants but leaders, driving the future of technology for the benefit of all.

(The author is the Global Head R&D at G+D)

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