This year's International Women’s Day theme, determined by the UN, ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’, is an important reminder that digital technology has the potential to bridge gaps between genders, and empower women around the world.
Digital technology can be used to drive progress in areas such as education, healthcare delivery, civic engagement, economic advancement, and more. In this way, technology can play an integral role in promoting gender equity by providing access to information which was previously out of reach. By providing people with vital resources like medical advice or financial assistance at their fingertips, technology can help level the playing field for those who have fewer opportunities due to gender discrimination or limited access to technology.
For women, technology can also be a powerful tool for self-expression and creativity. By building their own technology products or services, women can find new ways to connect with one another, and use technology to build social networks and foster collaboration. Technology has made it possible for women to access job opportunities that were previously out of reach due to geographic or financial barriers.
Improvements
Whilst improvements have been made, in some sectors there is not enough momentum, and work still needs to be done. For example, only 5% of leadership positions in the technology sector are held by women, and only one in four C-suite leaders is a woman.
The 2023 campaign theme from InternationalWomensDay.com is #EmbraceEquity. The aim of this theme is to get the world talking about Why equal opportunities aren't enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.
Currently, just 19% of UK tech workers are women and only one in ten women are currently taking A-Level computer studies. Data from 2022 revealed that if the pace of change continues at the same rate, a 50/50 gender split in the technology industry will not be achieved until 2060.
Figures in the technology industry
The technology industry continues to be highly dominated by men, with women comprising just 19% of technology roles in the United Kingdom (according to Tech Nation, 2023), and only one in ten women are currently taking A-Level computer studies. The figures for transgender and non-binary people are even lower; just 4% of technology roles were held by people who identify as trans or non-binary as of 2020.
Data from 2022 revealed that if the pace of change continues at the same rate, a 50/50 gender split in the technology industry will not be achieved until 2060.
In order for technology to truly become an agent of change for gender equality, there must be increased safety and inclusivity online. This means creating a digital environment that does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of their gender, race or economic background. Additionally, it is important to ensure that technology is not used as a tool to perpetuate oppression and inequality among different groups of people.
Technology has the potential to support mental health by providing online platforms where people can engage in meaningful conversations, share experiences and seek advice from peers. We’re seeing advances in these areas in 2023 as more organisations adopt technology such as Microsoft Viva, to help their employees communicate, collaborate and address topics to achieve improved balance, health and wellbeing.
Artificial intelligence tools are a hot topic in 2023, and new developments suggest there could be technology that will soon help diagnose symptoms of depression more accurately and quickly than ever before. However, 2023 statistics from UNWomen show there is still significant under-representation of women in the AI sector, including:
| 22% | 44% | 73% |
| Women make up only 22% of artificial intelligence workers globally | A global analysis of 133 AI systems across industries found that 44.2% demonstrate gender bias | A survey of women journalists from 125 countries found that 73% had suffered online violence in the course of their work |
Equal opportunities
On International Women's Day, we celebrate the achievements of women, transgender and non-binary people. We also take this opportunity to address the imbalances that exist in technology innovation and STEM subjects, as well as addressing the gender pay gap across all industries. It is only through proactive policies, improved education support and greater technology access that the world can begin to close the gender gap in business and leadership positions, salary and education opportunities.
At Core, we asked some of the women working in tech about how supported they’ve felt, and this is what a few of them had to say:
“Core has been a refreshing and welcoming place to work since my return from maternity leave last year. I was given the flexibility to set working hours that fit around my new normal, and to stagger my return back to full time – which was essential when adjusting to life as a working parent. Due to Core's people first culture, I feel supported in my role and know that when the unexpected toddler sized interruptions occur, I have the freedom to prioritise where needed."
Lucy Sharman, Partner Manager
"I have been working at Core for 8 years, and can genuinely say that it is great place to work. Although the IT industry is predominately made up of male employees, Core has a diverse workforce. The team I work in is 50/50 males and females, and our manager actively tries to ensure a balance is maintained. My gender has never influenced or impacted the growth I have been lucky to have during my time at Core. We are always evaluated on skills, success, and the culture we bring to the organisation, which is how it should be.
There are a number of female role models at Core who sit in key positions such as the Head of Operations, Marketing Director and Customer Services Director. I started my role at Core at 21 years old and it has always been inspiring to learn from the successful leaders in this business – both female and male!"
Hannah Newman, Account Manager
“I’m a firm believer that women can excel in any field – regardless of how male dominated it may be. The world of tech is changing, with more and more female leaders and innovators making their mark on the industry. I’m excited to see what this female influence will bring forward, and even more excited to be a part of it!"
Vanessa Marinova, Marketing Executive
Happy International Women’s Day, we hope you are recognising and celebrating the amazing women around you, helping to elevate their voices and ideas, and taking steps to make improvements for the future.
Let us join together to celebrate International Women’s Day in 2023 and beyond, by taking meaningful steps towards closing the gender gap and striving for gender equity across all industries and countries. Together, let’s strive for a more equitable society in which everyone is valued regardless of their gender identity or background.
