Nearly 70% women techies feel gender diversity in workplace is still just a marketing tool

Despite concerted efforts to promote gender diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, inherent biases continue to prevail during the hiring process within the technology sector. Nearly 70% of industry experts believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the tech industry are currently used for marketing purposes and should be ingrained in core business values instead, according to a new research report published on Wednesday.
DEI is a term used to describe policies and programs that promote the representation and participation of different groups of individuals. ANSR, a company that offers end-to-end services for businesses through Global Capability Centers (GCCs), has released the 'Women in Tech Report 2024: Insights & Trends' that polled 3,000 women in tech to gain insights into their experiences and viewpoints.
 
While the survey indicates some positive progress in DEI, it also highlights persistent barriers to gender diversity and inclusion. Concerns include gender stereotyping during interviews and a lack of pathways to leadership roles, among others.
 
The quest for a supportive ecosystem becomes a focal point in the survey, with professionals seeking an equilibrium that enables them to thrive both professionally and personally.

Further, the survey suggests, 90% of job seekers look for access to mental health resources and support programs. More than 80% of the surveyed women emphasized the significance of flexible work arrangements and family-friendly policies for achieving a balance between career aspirations and family commitments.
 
Nearly two-thirds (65%) valued extended parental leave policies, stressing the importance of onsite childcare facilities while 40% of surveyed women expressed a desire for family-friendly policies to cultivate a more inclusive workplace environment.
 
Female employees have expressed a strong interest in upskilling and reskilling. As many as 74.6% of the surveyed participants recognised the pivotal role of peer learning in their educational journey within the tech industry. Almost half of them (45%) feel unprepared for new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics while 35% express the need for access to learning and mentorship from experienced female tech leaders.
 
A substantial 75% of respondents expressed aspirations for leadership roles, underlining the ambition to ascend to influential positions within the tech sector. Despite these aspirations, only 20% of participants perceive an adequate representation of women in senior positions, highlighting a pressing need for greater inclusivity, the report points out.
 
Notably, the report reveals that GCCs present a different narrative as they prioritise gender diversity from the early stages, with diversity ratios ranging from 22-27% initially and increasing to over 35% within four to five years of operation. The responses from 60% of women in Bangalore, with 6-10 years of experience (similar trends observed in other metro cities), indicate that GCCs genuinely prioritise gender diversity.
 
Monica Jamwal, Managing Director of Talent Solutions at Talent500, said, "While India's tech sector is undoubtedly progressing in its commitment to diversity, achieving true inclusivity demands sustained effort. Recent strides within the tech sector show promise, particularly with larger organisations leading the charge in implementing robust diversity and inclusion strategies.
 
She added, “We have seen a number of GCCs imbibing DEI initiatives as core business values and integrated practices; however, the path to gender diversity remains a journey in evolution. As an industry, we must persist in our efforts, pushing boundaries and fostering an environment where every individual, regardless of gender, feels empowered and valued."
 
Despite constituting half of the world's population, women remain significantly underrepresented in the tech industry. Global statistics from the World Economic Forum reveal that women occupy merely around 26% of AI-related roles worldwide. Additionally, Skillsoft's 2022 Women in Tech report published last year indicates that in many organisations, men outnumber women in leadership roles at ratios of two-to-one or more.
 
A 2023 study from MIT Sloan found that women are 14% less likely to be promoted than men. This statistic reinforces the idea that women are overlooked for higher-level opportunities, stunting their professional development and limiting their career options. Moreover, 22% of women listed a lack of advancement opportunities as the main reason for leaving their companies, while 18% reported a lack of work-life balance.
 
Tech companies that fail to provide women with professional development opportunities and comprehensive employee benefits risk losing top women employees to businesses and sectors that account for their personal and professional needs, the survey said.
 
While these issues mostly arise at the time of hiring or at the beginning of the career, they continue to pose challenges to the women’s entire career trajectory. When asked what they felt about gender diversity in the tech industry, 65% said they do not have a voice at the table, 57% felt they lacked training, 42% said they have to work harder to prove themselves, and an equal number cited a lack of equity in pay.