Author: Future Manager Research Center

Gender discrimination seems to be very common in the technology industry. In fact, in 1985, 37% of computer science degrees in the United States were completed by women, but by 2012, that number had fallen to 18%. No wonder the issue of gender differences in the technology industry has become a hot topic in recent years. Without effective action to change the status quo, the gender gap in the tech world will only widen.

As many as 56% of women who have already worked in the technology industry leave after 10 to 20 years of work, compared with 17% of men. This has led to a lack of female senior management in the technology sector. The biggest reason for women leaving is that the work environment is not a “female-friendly” environment.

Starting from education to guide girls to study computer science and then find a related job is only the first step. To narrow the gender gap in the technology industry, more women need to help each other. Women need other women with higher positions in the industry as mentors and role models to encourage them to move in their direction. But getting more women into the technology industry is already a challenge. A recent “Harvard Business Review” study showed that when there is only one female applicant for a position, she will not be hired in most cases.

Another aspect of addressing the gender gap in the technology industry is addressing the issue of gender preferences in technology industry financing. If investors can give women founders in tech a relatively equal amount of investment, I believe more women will start their own technology companies. Women entrepreneurs are more likely to hire female employees. It is also important to create a “female-friendly” working environment, adjust pregnancy leave policies, and set up dedicated training for female employees.

Let’s see the great insights from the powerful women in tech.

Barbara Humpton the CEO of Siemens , she suggested : “Make it a central part of your communications to your team that every person, and every part of the business, is integral to the company’s overall success.”

Zaida Nuñez, the Director of Operations in Sprint, quoted from her words “Give the team the open communication channels to voice any concerns and/or support they might need in achieving the KPIs. Focus on adding value to everything you do. By focusing on how what we do adds value, we have been able to excel in delivering our results.”

Let’s cheer for the efforts of every woman working in tech who is contributing to the goal of narrowing the gender gap!