We need more women in technology for an inclusive digital ecosystem – Times of India

Finally, the most recent research on the gender gap in the technology industry in 2022 is inspiring and encouraging as it shows that over the years, the number of women enteringIndias technology sector has witnessed a steady growth. According to Deloitte Global, large global technology firms will have nearly 33 percent overall women representation in their workforces by 2022, an increase from 2019.

The number of women entering STEM-related fields is at par with men, but this gender representation decreases at managerial and higher levels. According to a report by 451 Research, women now make up 34% of the IT workforce in India, with a 50:50 gender parity rate in STEM graduates. However, while women make up 51% of entry-level recruits, only 25% are in management positions, with less than 1% in the C-suite. Due to the lack of women role models at higher levels, the tech industry appears to be male dominated, resulting in fewer women pursuing careers in the industry.

Stereotypes such as engineering is a male-only field must not stop women from chasing their dreams. Businesses, leaders, and employees have a role to play along with women themselves to create opportunities for growth and visibility to overcome such stereotypes. Organizations must implement a step-by-step approach to consciously hire women talent and develop them by building an inclusive work environment and improving womens representation in senior leadership roles. Initiatives must be implemented at all levels of the organization, from leadership to human resources (HR). Business leaders at the top can initiate mentorship programs and directly assist women in preparing for the boardroom.

In STEM the under-representation and disparity of women result from deep-rooted social stigma, discrimination, biases, social norms, and expectations that are influenced by the quality of education they have received and the subjects they studied. These career choices represent not only a missed opportunity but also a societal imbalance reflecting in unequal gender representation. .

Women in tech are integral to a digital future

AWS strives to be Earths Best Employer and is working to enable a workplace where employees from diverse backgrounds feel a strong sense of belonging and can thrive. Their customized and targeted programs are designed to attract, onboard, and retain women employees.

Often, it is the family that prevents girls from pursuing STEM careers, the prejudice begins at an early age. Girls are told that boys should pursue math and science while girls should pursue humanities. Careers in technology are thought to be difficult. There is also an absence of role models you cant be what you cant see. We can also see this in the Indian cricket team dominated by men, wherein Mithali Raj became the first woman, and only the third cricketer ever, to appear at six ICC Womens Cricket World Cups.

There has been a considerable decline in the number of women in executive and C-suite positions. Many women between the ages of 30 and 40 leave the workforce for reasons other than childbirth and maternity care whenever there are difficult family conditions that require lengthy physical presence at home or for caregiving, she says. Many women who want to return to work after a two- or three-year hiatus find it difficult to obtain a new job since their skills may have become obsolete, and they often lack the courage to start over.

A few questions to ponder upon for organizations are: What should companies do to attract women to a career in tech? And how can they retain women better? A more focused retention strategy for women in higher managerial positions is warranted. Following are the four-point strategy steps:

Stay inspired, Dream with ambition, lead with conviction And remember you are powerful, your voice matters. Raise your hand, ask for that hot job, speak up, take a seat at the table.

Keep reminding oneself, Be easy on yourself cook once and repeat the same food for two or three meals, take a day off from work to attend your childs parent-teacher meeting, leave the house messy on weekends, read a book or binge watch Netflix it is okay!

As we move to a digital-first world, having more diversity and women in tech is the best way to ensure that the digital world is free of systemic bias. A McKinsey study showed that diverse teams gave better ROI, took better risks and drove better profitability. Many reputed businesses consider DI&E as a source of competitive advantage. For some, its a matter of social justice, corporate social responsibility, or even regulatory compliance. For others, its essential to their growth strategy. Women make up half of the worlds population. As a result, women play an integral role in all decision-making processes, hence they need to be there where decisions are being taken. Diverse teams drive better outcomes.

Views expressed above are the author's own.

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We need more women in technology for an inclusive digital ecosystem - Times of India