The technology sector is one of the fastest growing and most impactful industries, contributing £150 billion annually to the UK economy, yet women remain significantly underrepresented. 

Women make up around 50% of the UK workforce, yet despite the tech sector’s growth and need for talent, just 24% of roles are filled by women. For tech leadership, that figure drops to just 5%. 

Globally, the statistics are similarly concerning. Only 28% of tech startups are founded by women, and that figure drops even further to an even more underwhelming 7.5% in the UK.

Ninety percent of women tech leaders find their careers rewarding, despite the 80 per cent who say they have encountered challenges on the way to becoming a leader, according to the AND Digital Rewards & Resilience report.

Bridging the gender gap could provide solutions to both the industry’s workforce shortage and its broader need for diverse perspectives. With such vast potential, it’s crucial to address why more women aren’t entering this transformative industry. 

Women as “shock absorbers”

The pandemic exposed and deepened inequalities for working-class women, resulting in an increase in job and financial insecurity, heavier care responsibilities and the burden of balancing paid and unpaid work. 

Women’s jobs were almost twice as vulnerable during the pandemics as men’s and the cost-of-living crisis continues to disproportionately hit women the hardest, with the Royal Society of Edinburgh describing women as the “shock absorbers” of poverty.

Tech isn’t a universal solution to this, but very few sectors offer the reward, security and 

opportunity of tech while simultaneously being loved by those who are part of it. The industry offers lucrative salaries and growth opportunities but yet it remains inaccessible to many women due to structural barriers and a lack of inclusive policies.

 If we want tech to remain a transformative space for women, we must confront the barriers they face and reimagine it as an industry where women can truly thrive. 

Facing a dual experience in tech 

Women who do break into tech can experience a world that is both highly rewarding and intensely challenging. The sector offers competitive salaries and cutting-edge work, but the journey is not without obstacles that men often do not encounter. 

The facts are, that women love tech. 89% of women said they enjoy being a leader in a tech role and 79% of women leaders felt they had succeeded in their role, showcasing the impact a career in tech can have.

Women feel empowered by a career that rewards them financially, developmentally and intellectually. They are excited by tech for the freedom and opportunities it presents.  

There has been huge progress if you look at the focus on bringing female talent through organisations, but this doesn’t come without significant hurdles. Women in tech frequently face bias with 90% of women being subjected to discrimination and 1 in 10 experiencing this regularly. This form of bias takes form in many ways from being underestimated in meetings or being overlooked.

The responsibility to eliminate gender bias in the workplace lies primarily with organisations and boardrooms must actively implement an active approach to set policies and create an inclusive environment where everyone feels safe and supported.

On an individual level, addressing bias when it occurs is crucial. Employees should feel empowered to report instances of bias to HR, as recognising and calling out such behaviours is a significant step toward breaking down barriers and driving internal change.

Recommended reading

• Five Barriers Obstructing Women in Tech
• Comment | How to Encourage Women into the Scottish Tech Sector
• Half of Women in Tech Struggle with Career-Family Balance
• Why Are Women Leaving Tech? Instead, Ask Why They Should Stay

The Broader Impact of Women in Tech

While female representation in tech and tech leadership has a long way to go, we are not starting at zero. Many women value the flexibility of the industry as well as the satisfaction of mentoring and inspiring others. Tech is dynamic and forward-thinking, blending creativity with constant innovation, which keeps the work exciting and impactful. 

But increasing diversity, is not just a moral imperative but a financial one. According to a McKinsey report, companies in the top quartile for ethnic diversity are 39% more likely to outperform those in the bottom quartile, which is a strong case for businesses that underscores the value of inclusive teams.

The underrepresentation of women in tech is a missed opportunity for both the industry and society. Despite its immense potential, the tech sector remains an uphill climb for women, hindered by systemic barriers and cultural biases.

By fostering an inclusive environment that values and supports women at every stage, the tech industry will have a richer, more diverse talent pool driving its success and women will have greater access to secure, rewarding careers in a future-driven field.