Ways to empower women in tech through continuous learning

Has the technology sector made great strides in recent years. Yes. Do gender disparities still exist in the industry? Absolutely! Women continue to face tremendous challenges in the technology field. Women make up 36 per cent of India’s tech workforce, per data from NASSCOM, their share in the workforce drops drastically as one starts looking up the corporate hierarchy. For instance, only 7 per cent women held executive-level positions, according to Skillsoft’s 2022 Women in Tech Report India Region, while only 13 per cent were working in director-level roles, and 17 per cent held mid-level managerial positions. This brings forth the critical need to empower, encourage and support women in tech through continuous learning.

Let’s take a look at five strategies that can help women excel!!

Provide access to online learning courses: Continuous learning should be embedded in the DNA of a company. Businesses should strive to foster a culture that encourages women to take on new challenges, build new skills and grow. One way to do this is to offer online courses via various learning platforms. These courses offer a plethora of learning opportunities, give access to updated resources and help stay abreast of industry trends. 

However, just providing courses is not enough, organizations should also help their employees complete them fruitfully. This can happen via flexible, customized learning solutions that women can complete at their own pace, or structuring their deliverables such that they can find better work-study balance.

Organize skill building workshops: While offering external courses is one option, businesses should also look at curating in-house skill building workshops and seminars tailored to the needs of their women workforce. These workshops should be created to help women in tech overcome common barriers, motivate them and inspire them to climb up the corporate ladder. 

Moreover, they should equip women with the tools they need to succeed by covering a wide range of topics such as leadership development, negotiation skills, personal branding, critical thinking, conflict resolution, stress management, and more.

Create mentorship programmes: An astounding 71% of women feel underappreciated at work, revealed a recent industry study. Mentorship programmes are hence important as it shows that the company values its employees, and is invested in their professional and personal growth. Mentorship is especially critical for women as it can help them get rid of imposter syndrome, build confidence and navigate challenges as they move ahead in their career. 

Mentors can offer a sounding board, inspire out-of-the-box thinking and challenge the status quo. Moreover, they can share their experiences and wisdom accumulated over the years. With very few role models to emulate at the top, especially in tech, mentorship can play a key role in encouraging women to aim higher and reach their full leadership potential. 

Develop a support network: One of the main reasons why women lack representation in top leadership positions is due to lack of a support network. When someone in power and influence intentionally supports, uplifts and endorses someone, it greatly enhances their credibility. 

Companies can help women build this support network by connecting them to leaders, mentors and coaches who believe in their abilities and can advocate for them. These can be within the organization or established people in the industry. Additionally, businesses can sponsor women to join structured business networking groups such as BNI (Business Network International) that can help them connect with the right people.

Enable recognition and visibility: Another shocking statistic says that 64% women across India are uncomfortable when paid a compliment! It further says that women underplay their achievements, deflect compliments or do not believe them at all. This is a deep-seated behavior that stems from self-doubt. This usually sets them back in competitive work environments. So how can organizations fix this? 

The key is acknowledging and celebrating achievements of women on a continuous basis through peer recognition programmes, incentives, rewards, social media recognition, promotions, and more. Doing so will not only help propel these women ahead, but will also inspire others to learn, grow and strive for excellence. 

Empowering women in tech through continuous learning is a complex and multifaceted endeavor. By implementing the aforementioned strategies, businesses can equip women with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in today’s competitive world. Going forward, it can play a crucial role in building a more inclusive society and pave the way for a more equitable future. 

Aparajita Mukhopadhyay

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Aparajita Mukhopadhyay is Chief Operating Officer at IntrCity SmartBus.