Why Is It Time For Women To Walk On The Tech Terrain?

The scientific and technological industries are always evolving. With everything heading towards technology, it is predicted that 90% of professions in the future will need information and communication technology (ICT). With science and technology continually evolving, it is shocking to find women and girls under-represented in these fields.

According to the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE) report 2019-20, women account for more than 43% of all STEM graduates in India, which is one of the highest rates in the world. Only 14% of them, however, pursue scientific research in universities. The disparity in the tech sector was also accentuated by a popular job portal’s data report, which suggested that the representation of women in tech jobs is just fifteen percent! That is a steep fall from the number of graduates and the number of women in core tech jobs.

Why does it even matter?

According to many investigations, a diverse team outperforms a gender-dominated team. Individuals of all races and ethnicities do, in fact, bring a variety of viewpoints to the table. With the Fourth Industrial Revolution bringing about numerous developments in the sector, scientific and technological powerhouses cannot afford to be selective and gender-dominant workspaces.

Why the underrepresentation of women in STEM?

Women and girls are underrepresented in STEM (science-technology-engineering-mathematics) fields as compared to males. This is due to a variety of factors. Some of the causes are as follows:

Lack of support to pursue a profession in the tech field: It's a rare event to hear or see a female coder in your company. Technology is by far dominated by men because society has a preconceived notion that women are well suited to certain job roles.

No role here for any role models: Since there are few women in the science and technology industry, there are few role models for other women and girls to emulate. In the Women in Tech report by Kaspersky, it was highlighted that only nineteen percent of women in the tech sector said that they were inspired by a female leader in the industry to take up the job. According to the report, more than a third (38%) of women working in IT are hesitant to join the field due to a lack of females.

Difficulty in challenging the status quo: Even while some women break through obstacles and pursue STEM fields, they face aggressive discouragement in the sector. They are having difficulty gaining acceptance in their various job roles by their seniors, colleagues and most importantly the market.

Women in tech field: Is the situation improving?

Women have started to enter the technical field and have been a breath of fresh air in an industry which was going through a stretch of monotony when it came to diversity. Female tech professionals have turned the tide completely. In the Indian IT field, women were 23–24 percent of workers a decade ago, but today they make up 34 percent of the 4.5 million workforce. That is an incredible leap. The present number is much higher than in the IT industry of most nations, including the United States. It is far greater than in the rest of India's formal economy. This has also happened since many parents are realizing the importance of giving their female children the opportunities to study and explore a career in science and technology. The proportion of STEM graduates who are girls is by far the highest in India. The Times of India reports that, according to recent statistics from the World Bank, India's colleges and universities graduate 43 percent more women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) than other industrialized countries. Comparatively, women comprise 34% of STEM graduates in the United States, 27% in Germany, 38% in the United Kingdom, and 32% in France.

Recently, efforts have been made to increase the involvement of women in this profession. The Department of Science and Technology developed the Vigyan Jyoti program to level the playing field for high school females who choose to pursue STEM-related higher education. It also gives rural female students the experience they need to figure out how to get from school to a science-related job of their choice after they graduate.

What can companies do to ensure more women in their tech workforce?

Measuring progress must take precedence for an organization to increase the proportion of women in senior positions. It is also essential to consider the various life stages women go through and to make accommodations accordingly. The majority of women are first-time working moms; therefore, they need substantial supervision and assistance. After maternity break, a woman needs confidence from her surroundings to understand that she can fit and ace the role of a mom and a professional. She must be welcomed and guided in order to reach their full potential. Women are very intelligent and deserving of a chance for corporate fame and jobs. In a recent tech employability quotient test, it was determined that the average score for women is 42%, while the average score for males is 39%.

Many have emphasized the need to create forums where women may address their concerns. These sites also allow industry leaders to identify mentors and role models. Women are starting to add up the numbers in many tech organizations. A woman, at first, might need a bit of hand holding in a male-dominated sector, but be rest assured that they'll be one of the best employees. As an industry leader, it becomes imperative to help her to tread on the tech terrain. It might be rocky, but at the end of the day, you'll see a woman bossing around this territory.

Zaiba Sarang is the Co-founder of  iThink Logistics. The views expressed are the author's own.