WomenTech Network hosts several events throughout the year for women to explore career opportunities and connect with industry leaders ROUNDTABLE BY ALICE CHAMBERS Diverse organisations are more likely to generate increased profit than their less diverse peers, according to McKinsey & Company. But how can technology companies attract and retain more women? Three female leaders in this space share their insights Although more companies are addressing the gender gap in the technology sector, the Women in Tech Survey 2023 reveals that women make up only 26 per cent of those working in IT. In the USA, they represent 23 per cent of the technology workforce and in Europe, they constitute 19.1 per cent of the ICT sector, according to the WomenTech Network. However, the share of women in technology is more encouraging in Southeast Asian (SEA) and Latin American (LATAM) countries, with ranges from 34 to 40 per cent in SEA, as noted by Boston Consulting Group, and up to 38 per cent in LATAM, according to India-based technology company Draup. WomenTech suggests the disparity between the number of men and women in the technology sector can be attributed to the fact that only 16 per cent of individuals with a degree in computer and information sciences are women, with similarly low numbers in engineering technology and physical sciences. However, the underrepresentation of women in the technology industry cannot be solely accredited to the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education. Many of the senior technical leaders at various organisations come from non-technical backgrounds. So, what other factors are contributing to this issue? 80 Joining forces to break the glass ceiling
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