Leveling Up Together – Bridging The Gender Gap In Sri Lanka Tech

The tech industry is a powerhouse, shaping our world. Yet, despite its potential, women hold less than a third of tech jobs globally, and Sri Lanka is no exception. Interestingly, while nearly 50% of undergraduate enrolments in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects at Sri Lankan universities are women, they only hold about a third of tech jobs in the country.

CONFRONTING GENDER IMBALANCE AT TIQRI?

At TIQRI, we believe addressing gender imbalance demands the same strategic focus we put into any critical initiative. Here’s how we are committed to levelling the playing field and tackling gender stereotypes throughout the entire employee lifecycle:

• Inclusive recruitment: We ensure a balanced interview panel by including at least one female panellist when considering female candidates, to mitigate unconscious bias and foster a welcoming environment.
• Upskilling and development: We offer continuous development opportunities for women, regardless of their tech stack. This includes tailored support for women returning to work after breaks for family or other reasons, helping them reintegrate and advance in their careers.
• Structured processes: Clear procedures for development, promotion, and retention ensure fair and transparent career progression for all employees.

RESPONDING TO SRI LANKA’S CONTEXT?

We recognize the specific socio-cultural factors impacting women in Sri Lanka's workforce. In many Asian contexts, women often bear a greater responsibility for managing home and children, which can hinder career progress.

• Hybrid work model: Our flexible work model empowers both genders to share family responsibilities equally.
• Child-friendly office: We normalize bringing children to the office with our dedicated Kids Zone, providing parents peace of mind as they work.
• Mentorship: We connect women in junior positions at TIQRI with mentors in senior roles, creating a sense of ‘if she can do it, so can I’, for confidence and career growth.
• Building the future pipeline: We collaborate with local universities, where our teams share technical knowledge and speak to students on realistic expectations for navigating career and life goals effectively.

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THE BUSINESS CASE FOR WOMEN IN TECH

Innovation is key for our clients, and a driving force here is diversity. When diverse perspectives come together, the output is more creative. Without this diversity, we risk common thinking and a lack of innovation in problem-solving approaches.?

A CULTURE OF INTENTIONALITY

A 2023 study by Samsung revealed that 92% of young women aged 18-25 couldn't name a prominent woman in tech (Samsung Newsroom U.K). To change that narrative, we are weaving gender inclusivity into everything we do, from hiring practices to flexible ways of working and respecting individuality. We also recognize that every woman's journey to success is unique, and one size does not fit all.

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FINDING INSPIRATION THROUGH HISTORY

Women were breaking the glass ceiling in tech long before society accepted their significant role. Here are just a few notable names:

• Ada Lovelace: Often considered the first computer programmer for her work on Charles Babbage's early mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine.
• Grace Hopper: A pioneering computer scientist who developed the first compiler for high-level computer programming language and was instrumental in the development of COBOL.
• Radia Perlman: Fondly called the "Mother of the Internet," she invented the spanning-tree protocol (STP), a fundamental technology in network bridges.
• Katherine Johnson?- A mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics and her work in pioneering the use of computers to perform tasks at NASA played a pivotal role in early space programmes. For movie buffs, we recommend watching Hidden Figures for this inspiring story.

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What are your thoughts on bridging the gender gap and supporting #WomenInTech beyond the lines of code? We’d love to hear your insights in the comments.