Despite women’s significant contributions in various sectors, they are still outnumbered by men in the software industry, accounting for only 20% of tech jobs, according to a Microsoft report. However, with the evolution of technology, the number of female software engineers is increasing, with many successful leaders in the 21st century. In fact, remote working opportunities are playing a pivotal role in equalizing the tech job market.
The tech industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with women taking a stronger role, and this blog will explore the evolution of the female revolution.
A Statistical Analysis of Women’s Contributions in the software industry:
In 2020, only 25% of employees in Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft (GAFAM) are female, and only 20% of leadership positions are female. A survey by WOMEN in Tech revealed that 82% of women believe there are more males in tech, 52% experience gender discrimination, and 81% believe the technology industry would benefit from a gender-equal workforce.
A gender imbalance in the workplace was reported by 70% of women from large organizations and SMEs. 88% of women would be drawn towards organizations that speak openly about diversity. Hiring a balanced workforce is crucial for leading and shaping the tech industry. Technical jobs require expertise in digital marketing, e-commerce, content, social media strategy, and gadgets.
Some Real-life Examples of Women Tech Leaders Worldwide:
Women are gaining momentum in the IT industry, with real-life examples including Amanda Wixted, Radia Joy Perlman, Parisa Tabriz, Shafi Goldwasser, and Sara Haider.
- Tabriz is the Engineering Director at Google.
- Goldwasser is a computer scientist known for cryptosystem development.
- Haider is a leader in Vine and Twitter (now X) Android apps.
- Wixted is a lead developer in Farmville, Perlman invented the Spanning Tree Protocol and spanned tree algorithm.
Why Men Outnumber Women in Tech Field?
The main reason for female coders’ underutilization is fear of unemployment, which often leads employers to prioritize male coders over females. Additionally, many girls perceive tech jobs as more challenging than other occupations, further exacerbating their career struggles.
I’ve assembled a more detailed list of reasons that further justify this concern.
1. The Knowledge Gap:
A 2018 Berkeley study found that over half of university computer science students have minimal programming experience, with male students having earlier coding experience. Only one-third of female students take the Computer Science AP exams, highlighting the early knowledge gap for female students, who are already behind at 18.
In 2019, 27.23% of female students enrolled in software engineering were female, compared to 72.77% for males. This disparity persists post-graduation, with fewer female students enrolling in specific courses. However, 36% of females enrolled in boot camps, a 14% increase from CS degrees.
2. Lack of Role Models:
The software engineering industry has numerous unexposed success stories, with women working on projects they never received credit for. One example is the ENIAC female computer engineers, who developed the first digital, programmable, and electronic computer. However, their stories were kept confidential due to being classified by the US military, and they were never mentioned in press conferences.
3. Some Women May Not Find Tech Studies Interesting:
Software Engineering is a challenging subject that demands discipline, perseverance, and a strong mathematical background. Students must solve numerous mathematical problems to solve programming issues.
Programmers spend hours writing and debugging code, requiring patience and strict discipline. The complexity and discipline make it difficult for many students, and the fewer students in a specific section can make the studying environment more challenging.
Parting Notes:
The tech industry benefits from a harmonious blend of women and men, fostering an inclusive environment where fresh ideas and creativity thrive. Recognizing diversity enriches the software development industry, resulting in groundbreaking solutions.
Empowering women in software development involves equal opportunities, support, mentorship, training programs, and supportive networks, enabling them to excel and reach new heights in their careers.
Written by: Tanzeela Malik
Published by: Zeeshan Afzal