Press Release
The majority (87 per cent) of IT professionals agree that there is a lack of gender diversity in the sector. Yet, less than half (41 per cent) of businesses have programs to hire more women, according to new research from ISACA, the leading global professional association helping individuals advance their careers in digital trust fields.
This is despite 74 per cent of businesses also saying that attracting and retaining talent is a challenge, finds ISACA’s Tech Workplace and Culture report, which surveyed 7,726 tech professionals around the globe.
When asked why women are still underrepresented in tech roles, 43 per cent of female respondents (and 21 per cent of men) said it is because most IT role models and leaders are male. The next biggest culprit – pay inequality, according to 42 per cent of women—but only 15 per cent of men—who responded. Overall, men tend to rate their sense of authority in specific areas of their current role more highly, whereas women tend to give lower ratings. The gap between men’s and women’s perceptions of authority is the largest for making purchasing decisions (13 percentage point gap) and contributing to the company strategy and direction (10 percentage point gap).
From an Indian perspective, a report from Xpheno shows a decrease in the number of women employed in leading IT firms in India, declining from 540,000 in March 2023 to 515,000 by the conclusion of FY24. The diversity ratio too experienced a decline, falling from 34.32% in the previous fiscal year to 34.26% during the January-March 2024 quarter. At the senior management level, the diversity ratio remains notably low at 17%, in stark contrast to the 35% ratio observed at the entry-level. This stagnation in career advancement may prove disheartening for women seeking professional growth.
“When we look at the current statistics about women in technology and diversity ratios in India, along with ISACA’s research findings, we could view it as a challenge. But I believe in turning these numbers into opportunities for meaningful change,” says Deepa Seshadri, Partner and leader – Cyber, Deloitte South Asia and member of the ISACA Emerging Trends Working Group. “These statistics aren’t just data points – they’re a call to action to address the fundamental barriers that have historically kept women from fully participating in technology professions. It’s time to move beyond acknowledging the gaps and focus on creating tangible pathways for women to thrive in tech.”
Survey respondents in the report indicate they believe that educational institutions can do more to drive gender inclusion, including:
- Providing mentors or role models (52 per cent)
Establishing tech clubs and/or organizations for networking for women (42 per cent)
