Women in ICT: Still wishful thinking or finally becoming a reality ?

• March 12, 2024
• Andrew

In the ever-evolving landscape of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the need for diverse perspectives and talents has become more pronounced than ever. In the last years, the phrase “Women in ICT” has often been used from policy bodies to industry giants as a pledge aimed at addressing this disparity and unleashing the untapped potential of women in technology. The growing attention in promoting pathways for women to thrive in ICT roles is on the political agenda of almost all political bodies, organizations and industry. As technology continues to permeate every aspect of our lives and the market share of the sector in the global economy keeps rising[1], it is essential that women start playing an increasingly central role in the sector. Currently, women remain significantly underrepresented in this field. Although receiving significant attention in the realm of societal concerns and political agendas, the issue seems to linger. This raises the question: why does this challenge persist?

This article delves into the multifaceted aspects of this phenomenon, exploring the challenges faced by women in accessing and thriving in the ICT sector, the relevance of the matter and highlighting key initiatives that might drive the change.

The challenge
Our daily life is punctuated by digital services, tech devices, cloud spaces and apps. This not only implies a surge of the ICT sector[2], but also an ever-growing demand of related competences and professional roles. In addition, the demand for specialised skills is matched by the potential for new technologies to replace certain tasks and part of jobs, rendering them obsolete[3]. These factors contribute to create an even more complex scenario in the global market. How do women navigate this landscape, and to what extent do gender bias and inequalities shape their roles within it?

Europe is facing an unprecedented shortage of ICT professionals, with 55% of EU companies having difficulties recruiting ICT specialists in 2019, and women accounted only as 18.9% of specialists in 2022. Read more