Technology is one of the most exciting and dynamic fields to work in today. It offers endless opportunities for creativity, innovation, problem-solving, and collaboration. It also offers a high demand for skilled workers, a competitive salary, and a flexible work environment.
But technology is also one of the most challenging and competitive fields to work in today. It requires constant learning, adaptation, and resilience. It also requires overcoming barriers, biases, and stereotypes that often limit women’s potential and participation in the field.
According to the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT), women held 57% of all professional occupations in the U.S. workforce in 2020, but only 26% of all computing occupations. Moreover, women of color were even more underrepresented, with Black women holding only 3%, Asian women holding 7%, and Hispanic women holding 2% of computing jobs.
The situation is even more dismal for women in tech startups, where they face more challenges and obstacles than their male counterparts. According to a report by Crunchbase, only 20% of global startups that raised their first funding round in 2020 had at least one female founder. Furthermore, only 2.3% of the total venture capital funding in the U.S. went to women-led startups in 2020.
These numbers are not just statistics; they are a reflection of the systemic barriers and biases that women face in tech. They are also a reflection of the missed opportunities and untapped potential that women have in tech.
Why are women underrepresented in tech?
There is no simple answer to this question, as there are multiple factors that contribute to the gender gap in tech. Some of these factors include:
• Lack of exposure and interest: Many girls and young women are not exposed to or encouraged to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) subjects and careers from an early age. They may also face stereotypes and social pressures that discourage them from pursuing their interests in tech.
• Lack of education and skills: Many women do not have access to quality education and training in tech fields, especially in developing countries. They may also face barriers such as cost, availability, or accessibility of tech programs and courses.
• Lack of mentorship and role models: Many women do not have mentors or role models who can guide them and inspire them in their tech careers. They may also face challenges in finding and joining networks or communities that can support them and provide them with opportunities.
• Lack of confidence and self-esteem: Many women suffer from impostor syndrome, which is the feeling of being inadequate or fraudulent despite their achievements and qualifications. They may also face discrimination, harassment, isolation, or doubt in their tech workplaces or environments.
• Lack of funding and resources: Many women face difficulties in securing funding and resources for their tech projects or startups. They may also face biases or prejudices from investors, customers, or partners who may question their credibility or competence.
How can we change the situation?
There is no easy solution to this problem, as it requires a collective effort from various stakeholders such as educators, employers, policymakers, investors, media, and society at large. However, there are some steps that we can take to improve the situation and empower more women to pursue their dreams in tech.
Some of these steps:
• Increased exposure and interest: We need to expose and encourage more girls and young women to explore STEM subjects and careers from an early age. We need to challenge the stereotypes and social pressures that discourage them from pursuing their interests in tech. We need to show them the possibilities and opportunities that tech can offer them.
• Improved education and skills: We need to provide more access to quality education and training in tech fields for women, especially in developing countries. We need to create more programs and courses that cater to their needs and preferences. We need to equip them with the skills and knowledge that they need to succeed in tech.
• Providing mentorship and role models: We need to connect more women with mentors or role models who can guide them and inspire them in their tech careers. We need to create more networks or communities that can support them and provide them with opportunities. We need to celebrate their achievements and contributions to the industry.
• Boosting confidence and self-esteem: We need to help more women overcome impostor syndrome and build their confidence and self-esteem. We need to create more inclusive and diverse workplaces or environments that respect and value them. We need to empower them to speak up and stand out in tech.
• Increased funding and resources: We need to provide more funding and resources for women’s tech projects or startups. We need to eliminate the biases or prejudices that hinder them from securing funding or resources. We need to invest in their potential and innovation.
Why should you join TechMae?
TechMae is a mobile app that connects women from all walks of life and empowers them to pursue their dreams. TechMae is more than an app – it’s a community, a sisterhood, a movement.
On TechMae, you can meet other amazing women who share your vision and values inside our Women in tech community. You can chat with them, learn from them, and collaborate with them. You can also join groups based on your interests, goals, or challenges during the registration process.
But what makes TechMae different from other networks and platforms?
• TechMae was founded by two black women. They both understood the unique challenges and opportunities that women face and together built a community to help women thrive in real-time.
• TechMae is inclusive and diverse. Women of all backgrounds, races, ethnicities, ages, and levels of experience in tech. Techmae celebrates the diversity of women in tech and showcases their achievements and contributions to the industry. Techmae also provides resources and support for women of color who are often underrepresented and marginalized in tech.
• TechMae provides communities where members share resources to help each other advance their skills. Our members are encouraged to share things like online courses, tutorials, books, events, podcasts, blogs, videos, and more.
Does this sound like something you could be apart of?
Are you ready to join TechMae’s sisterhood and change the game for women?
Download the app today and start your journey! Don’t forget to bring a friend with you.
#techmae #TechmaeSisterhood #ChangeTheGame #womenintech