The importance of gender diversity in the tech industry

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is all about “Inspiring inclusion” and that’s why we would like to shed light on an industry where women are still underrepresented: the tech industry. The tech industry is an essential driving force behind innovation and economic growth in this digital day and age. However, the sector has been male dominated for a very long time, with women historically underrepresented in this crucial field. It’s important to highlight the need for improved gender diversity in the tech industry. Together, we can push the field—and the future—forward.

SOME INTERESTING STATS ON WOMEN IN TECH IN BELGIUM:

-????????? As of 2023, women hold approximately 26.7% of technology jobs in Belgium and even less in higher positions like head of engineering,… (source ) However this industry kept on growing and will continue to do so thanks to governmental support an innovation. Example: the IT services market revenue projected to exceed €10 billion euros by 2027 (source ).

-????????? In 2020, the tech position with an almost equal share between men (57%) and women (43%) was user experience designer (source ).

When compared globally, Belgium’s percentage of women in tech positions is similar to that of other European countries. However, countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland have higher female representation in tech.

These statistics reveal both progress and areas for improvement. While the increase in female representation is a step in the right direction, efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the tech industry stay crucial.

Research has shown that companies with a more gender-diverse workforce are more likely to outperform their less diverse counterparts. In addition, diverse teams produce more creative solutions, have a broader range of perspectives, and are more likely to retain top talent. Women make up a significant proportion of tech users, and having more women in product development can lead to more user-friendly designs.

How Women Can Break into the World of Tech

If you’re a woman interested in pursuing a career in tech, there’s never been a better time to start.

• Build your portfolio: Highlight your skills and achievements through a personal website or online portfolio. This can help you stand out from the competition and provide tangible evidence of your capabilities. Don’t forget to create a strong LinkedIn profile, this is the perfect platform to showcase your skills, both traditional and non-traditional.
• Keep your skills up-to-date: The tech industry is constantly evolving. Stay informed about the latest developments and be willing to learn and adapt to new technologies and methodologies.
• Consider non-technical roles: You don’t need a tech degree to get a job in the tech industry. You don’t even have to work in a primarily technical role. A career in tech can be extremely varied. It’s not all about writing code and fixing laptops. You can work as a Cloud Architect, in addition to technical skills, you also need to understand business requirements, have good communicate skills, understand stakeholder’s concerns, and have a lot of empathy. A solid foundation in technical skills is important, but being flexible and finding creative solutions to problems, is also very necessary. All of those are skills that a lot of women have naturally, and those are skills that, in combination with a great technical foundation, will make you stand out.
• Imposter syndrome is natural – Everyone, whether they care to admit it or not, has probably experienced the feeling of being inadequate and unfortunately, this can be common for women in the workplace, namely due to a lack of women in similar roles, especially as you go higher up the ladder. Don’t let this become a barrier. Recognising your limitations and having confidence in your abilities can really help you to overcome this common phenomenon.
• Highlight your transferable skills: When considering a career change into tech, it's important to identify your transferable skills. Transferable skills are skills that you've developed in your current career that apply to your new role or industry. As a career-switcher you may already have some of the tech industry's highly valued skills such as: Project management, Analytics, Communication, Problem-solving, … These skills apply across different roles in tech, whether you're interested in software development, data analysis, or project management. Never undervalue your current skills.

Gender diversity and inclusion in the tech industry is not only a matter of social equity, but also a source of competitive advantage and innovation. However, women are still underrepresented in tech roles, especially in programming and software development. There’s still room for improvement, as women still face gender-based hurdles in the workplace.

There are many women who have successfully made the career change into tech, and many more who are eager to support you along the way. Together, we can close the gender gap in technology and create a more diverse, innovative, and sustainable future.

If you’re interested in the topic of women in the workforce and especially in higher positions, you can listen "Either too nice, or too bitchy" - Women and leadership, a Triangle Talk podcast episode here (Dutch). Subscribe to Triangle Talk on Spotify for more inspiring stories. Don’t forget to leave us a review and if you know someone who you think would enjoy this episode, please share it with them on social media.