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63% of women working in technology feel that they aren’t taken seriously, according to a new global survey from Ivanti.
The survey found that that negative perceptions associated with inherent gender bias adversely affects the working environment and professional opportunities of a majority of women in the tech industry.
Ivanti conducted its Women in Tech Survey 2018 from the 18th of April to the 8th of May, 2018, surveying over 500 women working in technology from around the globe (including the UK, Ireland and the US) about their experiences of the industry, both positive and challenging.
The report identified that many women have to deal with gender disparity in the workplace, including having their suggestions dismissed, being constantly interrupted in meetings and being overlooked for promotion in favour of male counterparts.
In addition, 43% said that a key struggle in the industry is a lack of female role models to look up to.
The gender pay gap is also a significant issue for women working in technology. 75% of respondents agreed that the best change that organisations and the wider technology industry could make to encourage more women into technology would be to pay women the same as their male counterparts.
This is an issue not exclusive to technology, with the UK Government’s Gender Pay Gap Survey shining light on the fact that women are paid less than men as a national average across all sectors.
“While it is incredible to see that there are so many more women working in the technology industry than ever before, the report highlights what we have been told anecdotally for years: more needs to be done in order to encourage gender diversity in technology,” said Sarah Lewis, director of Field Marketing & UK Women in Tech Ambassador at Ivanti.
“Women need to be taken seriously and be paid the same as their male counterparts in order to ensure the continued growth and diversity of the tech sector.”
Speaking at Ivanti’s EMEA customer event, Interchange Madrid, Sally Bogg, head of End User Services at Leeds Beckett University, said: “One of the best aspects of working in technology as a woman is just how many opportunities it provides. It is such a varied and exciting career, you never know what’s going to come next.
“But more than just the excitement that comes about from all the innovation is that it is an industry full of amazing people. I am privileged to work with so many inspiring women from all over the world, but there simply aren’t enough of us for this industry to continue to grow, and this must change.”
The Ivanti Women in Tech Survey 2018 is a part of Ivanti’s Women in Technology initiative which launched in July 2017. The campaign was launched as an online and face-to-face support network for women in the industry who are limited on time but still want to share ideas and successes with like-minded peers.
Through this network, Ivanti runs networking events, and publishes online resources such as blogs, podcasts and curated news. Ivanti also supports STEM more generally, giving employees two days per year to donate to STEM education initiatives. Many use these days to volunteer at STEM groups in schools to encourage young people of all genders to get into technology.
You can find out more about Ivanti’s Women in Technology initiative at their dedicated Twitter page and blog.
For the November issue of PCR, we will be running our Women in Tech special, which will be packed with features, opinions and Q&As about diversity and supporting women in the industry, as well as running our Top 25 Women in Tech feature.
Click here to find out more about how to get involved in this issue and how you can nominate yourself or a colleague for our Top 25 list.
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