Empowering Women in Tech: Celebrating International Women’s Day
5-min read
International Women’s Day is celebrated on March 8th every year to honour the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women around the world. It also serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to achieve gender equality. The tech industry has come a long way, but there is more progress to be made. Women continue to be underrepresented, with just 25% of computing roles being held by women, and an even smaller percentage in leadership positions. The industry needs to do more to encourage women to pursue careers in tech and create a more inclusive environment that supports them in their professional growth.
So, what can be done to empower women in tech?
Find out more about International Women’s Day
Encourage Girls and Young Women to Pursue Tech Careers
To create a more diverse tech industry, it’s important to encourage girls and young women to pursue tech careers. This can be done by promoting STEM education and providing access to resources and opportunities that inspire them to explore tech-related fields. Companies can also partner with schools and organisations to offer workshops, internships, and mentorship programs that help young women gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed in tech.
Address Unconscious Bias in Hiring and Promotion
Unconscious bias can have a significant impact on the hiring and promotion of women in tech. Hiring managers and executives may have biases that affect their decision-making, such as assuming women are less competent in technical roles or less committed to their careers due to family responsibilities. To combat these biases, companies can implement training programs that raise awareness of unconscious bias and provide tools for mitigating its effects.
Foster a Culture of Inclusion
Creating a culture of inclusion is essential to empowering women in tech. This means creating an environment where women feel supported and valued, and where they have equal access to opportunities for growth and advancement. Companies can achieve this by promoting diversity in hiring and leadership, providing flexible work arrangements to accommodate family responsibilities, and ensuring that women are represented in decision-making processes.
Offer Professional Development and Mentorship Programs
Professional development and mentorship programs can be powerful tools for empowering women in tech. These programs can provide women with the skills and knowledge they need to advance their careers, as well as the guidance and support of experienced professionals who can help them navigate the challenges of the industry. Companies can also create employee resource groups (ERGs) that bring together women to share experiences and offer mutual support.
Celebrate and Recognise Women in Tech
Finally, it’s important to celebrate and recognise the contributions of women in tech. This can be done by highlighting the achievements of women in leadership positions, sharing success stories of women who have overcome obstacles to succeed in tech, and hosting events that bring together women to network and share ideas. By recognising and celebrating the achievements of women in this industry, companies can help inspire the next generation of female leaders.
In conclusion, empowering women requires a multifaceted approach that addresses the structural barriers that prevent women from entering and advancing in the industry. Companies can make a significant impact by promoting STEM education, addressing unconscious bias, fostering a culture of inclusion, offering professional development and mentorship programs, and celebrating the achievements of women in tech. By working together to create a more diverse and inclusive tech industry, we can help women reach their full potential and drive innovation and growth in the field.
A Note from Core Systems
In the UK, only 19% of the tech workforce are women. We recognise that more progress should be made and have an employee ratio of 60% women employees and 40% men. Our company is proud to be leading the charge of championing women in the tech industry and we make it a priority to create a diverse and inclusive workplace culture. We have implemented policies and programs to support women in their career development, such as mentorship programs, flexible working arrangements, and leadership training. By prioritising the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in tech, we hope to set an example for other companies in the industry.
Core Systems, 2023
