4 Strategies to Promote Female Leadership in Technology

To illustrate: women represent only 26% of all computing roles, according to a 2023 article by the World Economic Forum. Additionally, a study conducted by Girls Who Code and Accenture in 2029 found that 50% of women leave the tech sector by age 35, many citing lack of recognition or female role models in the workplace.

To foster a more equitable environment, specific strategies must be implemented. Here are some strategies that can help change this reality:

1. Create an Inclusive Work Environment 

An inclusive work environment is crucial for women to feel valued and supported. This involves offering flexible work policies that allow for a balance between work and family responsibilities and ensuring a culture of respect and collaboration. Why are such policies key? Because part-time employment is predominantly held by women—specifically 73.9%—due mainly to their greater involvement in household tasks, child-rearing, and caring for relatives, according to the 2022 report on the Situation of Women in the Labor Market by Spain’s Ministry of Labor and Social Economy.

2. Implement Diversity and Equity Policies that Promote Hiring and Promotion of Women

These measures should include:

• Ensuring gender-balanced representation on interview panels and among job candidates.
• Department leaders and Human Resources must ensure promotion strategies and salaries are fair to avoid the well-known “glass ceiling” and gender pay gap.
• Providing mandatory diversity and inclusion training for all staff.
• Creating mentorship and sponsorship programs where women can receive guidance and support from experienced leaders.

3. Encourage Professional Training and Development 

Continuous training and professional development opportunities are essential for women to advance in their careers. One option is to offer leadership training, technical skills development, and project management programs. For example, Google has implemented the Google Women Techmakers program, which offers resources and events.

4. Promote Visibility and Recognition 

Recognizing and celebrating achievements is important. This not only increases visibility but also inspires other women to aspire to leadership roles. Internal awards can be organized, achievements highlighted in corporate communications, and support given for female staff to participate in conferences and events.

At Workdeck, CEO Oonagh Mc Nerney notes that “thanks to the collaborative work with the co-founder, a good gender diversity balance has been achieved even in areas such as engineering and software development.” She emphasizes that, in her experience, “diversity is a great asset for companies, as it fosters the generation of disruptive and innovative ideas.”

In summary, promoting female leadership in the tech field is not only a matter of equity but also brings tangible benefits to companies. With the right strategies, it is possible to create an inclusive culture that drives the success of the entire organization.