Last month saw International Girls in ICT (Information and Communications Technology) Day, sponsored by the UN, focusing on the 2023 theme of Digital Skills for Life.  Yet in the UK, research by Lloyds Banking Group has shown that women are less likely to have the Essential Digital Skills for Life that they need to complete basic digital tasks independently – with over 11 million in the UK getting by without these skills. 

So how can we level the playing field, whilst also supporting the UK to become the tech superpower touted by government?

The STEM workforce is being joined by more women – 24% of those working in STEM careers are now female, and it is important to celebrate the progress that has been made to get more women into tech and spur more interest into the STEM sector. 

But of this, whilst women engineers now account for 13.6%, up from 12.5% last December, and the proportion of Science Professionals (51.5%) has also grown, the number of women IT Professionals and those in IT Technician roles has dipped – from 21.0% to 19.9%, and 26.3% to 25.9% respectively.

With over 82% of jobs advertised last year explicitly requiring digital skills, and a growing number of technical roles, its vital to ensure that women have the same opportunities to harness the power of digital, whilst also ensuring that business doesn’t miss out on top talent on the basis of gender.

Lack of representation and educational role models

Ascribed to former tennis champion Billie Jean King, the saying “You have to see it to be it,” is as true in the tech world as any other.  With fewer top tech leaders being women, young girls may not have the self-belief to even consider a career in ICT. 

By identifying with role models from a young age, and having access to technology, young girls could work on their skills and feel comfortable accepting support to bolster what is necessary to operate in the tech industry, as well as numerous other spheres. 

Research reveals a gender bias in the teaching of STEM subjects, and more attention is given to the males of the class, with one study finding that girls with the same attainment levels as boys in mathematics are less likely to be recognised as “high achieving” than male students or to receive encouragement.

Encouragement from an early age is key to motivation in the next stages of life, so having encouragement and support from teachers across all stages of education can purge any confidence-knockers, and help them develop further confidence in their skills.  

However, this issue is not limited to only young girls. Underrepresented groups in the tech industry, such as women of all ages, ex-forces and returners, should also be encouraged to work on upskilling and re-skilling, therefore further expanding the talent pool for other businesses who may be seeking digitally-able candidates.

The impact of lack of access and skills

The new digital age is often labelled as democratised and open to all; however, it is not accessible by all.  To fully realise the potential of the digital world to empower, it is important to address the barriers to entry, and ensure that everyone has equal access and opportunities within it. 

Whilst the tech sphere has traditionally been dominated by men, access to the internet has afforded more women the ability to upskill through online training courses and in turn, enter more tech roles. 

Opportunities such as virtual work experience can also help girls build their networks and raise their aspirations – especially for those living in rural and coastal communities, where the tech role models found in cities across the UK may be shorter supply.

The online landscape can empower individuals and groups by providing access to further information, resources, and opportunities, which can in turn enhance their employability and enrichen their day-to-day lives.

However, if there are barriers to accessing tech, and a lack of skills, females, and countless others, run the risk of digital exclusion. 11 million people in the UK currently lack basic digital skills, acting as a hazardous barrier to education, job applications, digital healthcare, online banking and countless other essential capabilities.  One in five young people (8-24) across the UK do not have access to a laptop or desktop with expense being the most cited reason, according to Nominet research.

The digital world cannot empower whilst so many are cut off from it.

The importance of diversity

Diversity is crucial in STEM professions as it allows for a wide range of perspectives and approaches, which can lead to more innovation and success in the industry. Only about 30% of STEM professionals are female.

The inequality of STEM professions by gender represents the need for investing in more empowerment and opportunities for women in the ICT world, businesses need a highly skilled and diverse workforce in the evolving digital landscape to maximise new technologies to drive business efficiencies.

Encouragement, opportunities and motivation

Creating opportunities to inspire girls to pursue tech education and jobs is crucial as it helps to bridge the gender gap in the tech industry, which can be a driving force for innovation and growth.

The greater visibility of options available to girls can increase their chances of involvement in tech, leading to a more diverse and inclusive workforce. The importance of inspiring girls to pursue tech education and jobs by promoting the benefits and opportunities available, celebrating women and digital skills, and recognising the achievements in digital progress so far.

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Creating opportunities for girls in tech is key to achieving greater gender equality and increased representation of women in leadership roles in the industry. In turn, these women will not just inspire more girls to enter the sector, their insight will help to ensure more technology built with a wide range of users in mind, creating experiences that are not just inclusive, but more appealing in the marketplace.

The need to promote digital skills and representation for women in tech is crucial for the future of the industry. This must be an ongoing effort that spans across education, training, access to resources, and advocacy. By promoting diversity, building on the achievements of women in the industry, and inspiring the next generation of female tech leaders, we can create a brighter future for all.

International Girls in ICT Day serves as a reminder of the importance of these efforts, and a call to action for everyone to do their part to tackle digital poverty and promote greater gender equity in the tech sector.