Women in Tech and Enterprise Software

While the tech industry has exploded over the last couple decades, there are still not enough women present. Learn more about why this is, what can be done to improve it, and how you can help today.

The tech industry is one of the most rapidly growing and economically impactful industries in the world. And yet, despite its importance and ubiquity, the industry is still male-dominated. In fact, women make up only about a fifth of the workforce in tech and enterprise software, according to data from the National Center for Women & Information Technology.

There are a number of reasons for this imbalance. For one, the industry has long been seen as predominantly male, which can discourage women from pursuing careers in tech. Additionally, there is a lack of role models for young women interested in the field, and a general lack of awareness of the many different opportunities available within tech.

But it's not all doom and gloom. There are many organisations working to increase the number of women in tech, and there are a number of things that companies can do to create a more inclusive environment for women.

The facts about women in tech:

- Only 26% of professional computing occupations are held by women.

- Black and Hispanic women are particularly underrepresented, holding just 3% and 1% of professional computing occupations, respectively.

- Women are more likely than men to leave the tech industry, with 43% of women citing a lack of career advancement opportunities as the reason for leaving.

- Women in tech earn an average of $11,000 less per year than their male counterparts.

What can be done to improve the situation:

- Companies can commit to hiring a more diverse workforce, and can create programs to support the career advancement of women in tech.

- Tech companies can partner with organisations that work to increase the number of women in tech, such as Girls Who Code and Black Girls Code.

- Mentorship programs can be created to connect experienced female professionals with young women interested in tech careers.

How you can help:

- If you're a woman in tech, mentor someone or be a role model.

- Support organisations that work to increase the number of women in tech.

- Advocate for change within your company, and encourage others to do the same.