Gender Disparities in Tech

Women are expected to make up 47.2% of the workforce by 2024. However, the tech industry is still lagging behind the curve. Only 26% of computing jobs are held by women. Of those women, only 3% are black, 6% are Asian and 2% are Hispanic. The numbers are clear; even in today’s modern times, women (and especially women of color) are fighting uphill battles to participate in tech.

“Despite all of the conversations that have been taking place around gender diversity and women, I feel we are still underrrepresented, underpaid, and often discriminated against,” said Donna Godfrey, Director of Network and Telecom at Visiting Nurse Service of New York. “I’d have to be perfect compared to my male peers in order to be able to get the same type of attention, if you will, internally.”

Gender Bias Leads to Underrepresentation

About four-in-ten working women (42%) in the United States say they have faced discrimination on the job because of their gender. The more educated a woman is, the more likely she is to experience discrimination. Roughly three-in-ten working women with a postgraduate degree (29%) say they have experienced repeated slights at work because of their gender, compared to 18% of those with a bachelor’s degree and 12% with less education.

In the tech world, the majority of women have achieved at least a bachelor’s degree, making them more likely to face discrimination based on their gender. This bias creates a lack of representation.

“When you’re in meeting after meeting and you’re the only woman at the table, you do start to get used to it—you’re shocked when there’s another woman at the table every once in a while.” - Jill Werfel, Strategic Account Manager at AddOn Networks

Combating the Gender Bias

Many people believe that creating equality means ignoring differences. However, a truly inclusive workplace acknowledges and celebrates those differences. This must start at the executive level and be a conscious business decision.

A study by Harvard found that after completing diversity training, employees were more likely to acknowledge discrimination against women, express support for policies designed to help women, and acknowledge their own racial and gender biases, compared to similar employees in the control group.

“I’m very lucky. I’ve always had a boss (and they were all male, I’ve never had a female boss) that has always guided me and supported me and really taught me. [My male bosses] always wanted to see me succeed.” - Donna Godfrey

When organizations make a conscious choice to discuss diversity and bias, opportunities are created. During the Harvard study, researchers were surprised to find that junior women were more likely to seek out mentorship (from both male and female leaders) than junior women who did not receive diversity training.

How To Grow Diversity

“I’m very lucky. I’ve always had a boss (and they were all male, I’ve never had a female boss) that has always guided me and supported me and really taught me. [My male bosses] always wanted to see me succeed.” - Donna Godfrey

When organizations make a conscious choice to discuss diversity and bias, opportunities are created. During the Harvard study, researchers were surprised to find that junior women were more likely to seek out mentorship (from both male and female leaders) than junior women who did not receive diversity training.

Empowering Women In Tech

Maryann Pagano not only leads BlackHawk Data but also passionately advocates for women in the technology sector. She champions diversity and inclusion within the tech space and actively supports women in breaking barriers and realizing their career aspirations. Maryann Pagano's commitment to uplifting and empowering women in the tech industry is exemplified through the quarterly Women in Tech Roundtables hosted by BlackHawk Data. These engaging roundtables feature female IT and tech leaders who participate in panel discussions and provide answers to questions, sharing their valuable advice and insights. These discussions serve as a stepping stone for other women aspiring to enter the tech industry or advance their careers, creating a supportive community and inspiring future leaders.

A Mission For The Future

BlackHawk Data remains committed to advancing its mission of delivering top-notch IT solutions and services while championing diversity and inclusion in the tech industry. They continue to stand as a trusted partner in the IT ecosystem, paving the way for a more inclusive and innovative future.