The gender gap

IN THE TECH INDUSTRY IS WELLDOCUMENTED. HOWEVER, IN RECENT YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A GROWING MOVEMENT TO BREAK THE GLASS CEILING AND INCREASE THE REPRESENTATION OF SUCCESS FOR WOMEN IN THE TECH INDUSTRY.

ccording to a report by the National Center for Women & Information Technology, women make up only 25 per cent of the workforce in the tech industry. This gap is even wider at the executive level, where women hold only 11 per cent of leadership positions. To shed further light on the issue, Atomico’s State of European Tech report exposed that the proportion of funding raised by women-only teams has dropped from 3 per cent to 1 per cent since 2018, and, of those receiving funding, they’re getting less.

For one, it means that the industry is missing out on the talents and skills of half of the population. In addition, it can create a culture in which women are not welcomed or supported, which can make it difficult for women to succeed in the industry.

Despite the challenges, there are a number of women who have broken through the glass ceiling and advanced to leadership positions in the tech industry. These women serve as role models and inspirations for others who are looking to do the same.

One of these women is Susan Wojcicki, the CEO of YouTube. Wojcicki is the first woman to lead a major tech company and has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth at YouTube.

Another woman who has broken through the glass ceiling is Reshma Saujani, the founder and CEO of Girls Who Code. Saujani has been a vocal advocate for women in tech and has worked to increase the representation of women in the industry through her organisation.

But, there are still many challenges that women in the tech industry face. One of the biggest is the lack of representation, which can make it difficult for women to find mentors and role

INSTRUMENTAL IN DRIVING INNOVATION AND GROWTH AT YOUTUBE"

Susan Wojcicki

models who they can relate to and learn from.

Another challenge that women in the tech industry face is the lack of support. Women often have to work harder than men to prove themselves and earn respect in the industry. Taking an intersectional look at the entrepreneurial community, we see that women of colour are facing additional barriers – and discrimination is incredibly widespread. According to Founderland’s Rise & Thrive Report, in

Germany, workplace discrimination is becoming increasingly prevalent.

Before the pandemic, workplace discrimination was growing by 1015 per cent annually in Germany, which saw a significant increase to almost 79 per cent during the pandemic.

Breaking the glass ceiling in the tech industry is an ongoing process. Despite the progress that has been made, there is still a long way to go to achieve gender equality. By highlighting the achievements of women in the tech industry and addressing the challenges that women still face, we can help to create a more inclusive and equitable industry where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed.

Recognising women in tech means taking time to celebrate successes, highlighting inspiring women to provide references for the next generation, and giving these influential and impactful women a platform to share their voices.

Women have made significant contributions to the tech industry throughout its history. From

Ada Lovelace, who is considered to be the world’s first computer programmer, to Grace Hopper, who developed the first compiler, they have been instrumental in shaping the tech industry as we know it today.

Despite these contributions, women have often been