As technological innovations advance, it becomes increasingly critical to have diverse voices, particularly women, involved in shaping this industry and creating technology that serves all of society and fosters economic progress for all.
According to stats from the WomenTech website [1], there are approximately 1.7 million women working in tech positions in Europe, representing just 19.1% of the total tech workforce. While statistics vary widely, this highlights the significant under-representation of women in a growing sector that will shape the future.
McKinsey’s ‘Women in the Workplace’ report [2] reveals that companies with higher gender diversity participation in senior positions can generate up to 50% greater earnings and share performance, underscoring the financial and social benefits of inclusive practices. Diverse teams are more innovative thanks to their varied perspectives which enhances creativity and problem-solving, leads to better overall performance and increased growth.
At our Flagship Deep Tech Skills Days 2024 event in Warsaw, 12-13 November, we will focus on women working in deep tech fields, and are delighted that 35 out of our 60 event speakers are women.
Strategies for increasing female participation in tech
To increase female participation in tech, several targeted strategies can help the tech industry create pathways for women to thrive and contribute to a more diverse, innovative future.
However, the best way is engaging girls with STEM from a young age which builds confidence and interest in the subject before stereotypes take hold. Research shows that girls are less likely to pursue STEM fields in high school and beyond if they lack early positive exposure, particularly in more technical disciplines like engineering and computer science.
Programmes such as ‘Girls Go Circular’ play critical roles by providing hands-on opportunities, role models, and collaborative activities that encourage girls to explore STEM topics in a supportive environment. The Girls Go Circular initiative equips girls aged 14-19 across Europe with digital and entrepreneurial skills through an online learning platform on the circular economy, and has, to date, trained over 40,000 schoolgirls.
Women in Tech at Deep Tech Skills Days 2024
Women in tech is an important issue and will be discussed in depth on day 2 of our Deep Tech Skills Days, we will host in a panel dedicated to empowering female talent. The panel will be moderated by Cornelia Crucean (Education Project Specialist, EIT Raw Materials, Girls Go Circular) and include representatives from Impulse4Women, Intel, Jagiellonian University, Space Robotics Society.
One of the Deep Tech Talent Initiative’s Pledger, Generation, will be holding a breakout session that focuses on attracting women into tech training programs, using the DigitHer program from Generation Italy as a case study. Participants will discuss challenges and opportunities in mobilizing female learners, with a focus on key success factors, barriers to entry, and the role of mentorship. The session aims to explore potential scale-up strategies and future collaboration opportunities.
References
[1] https://www.womentech.net/en-gb/women-in-tech-stats
[2] https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/women-in-the-workplace#/
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