Welcome to VERCIDA website.

Skip to main content
Enable Recite to make this website accessible

Why we Still Need to be Championing Gender Diversity

Category: Neurodiversity

Red background with white text overlaid spelling Gender Focus.

At the end of 2018, Forbes published a list of the 50 most influential women in tech . This illustrious list demonstrates that role models in the tech industry are out there. However, there is still work to be done in championing gender diversity in the sector. Research by PwC shows that:

78% of students can’t name a famous female working in technology

Only 3% of females say a career in technology is their first choice

Just 5% of leadership positions in the technology sector are held by women

 Given that the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is bettering the balance, the Pontoon team has chosen to interview women in tech that we’ve worked with.In the third and last of our series of stories, we talk to Leanne Mitchell, an ITIL Practice Manager about the changes she’s seen in the tech industry and why we still need to be championing gender diversity at work:

Why is it important for people who identify as women to be part of technology?

When I first entered the world of technology it was a very male dominated environment and technology was a very scary word to me. Nowadays, technology is part of our everyday life and is introduced into our lives at a very young age. It’s great to see so many women working in technology and holding senior positions; this is very encouraging for young women and girls who want to choose a career in technology.

How do you feel we can inspire women into the workplace?

By giving women a chance in the first instance and by avoiding getting too hung up on what experience people have when recruiting. I recruited two hires with no IT or network experience, and they have both progressed to lead engineers with lots more potential to grow further. Both were very young when they joined but because they are so technology-aware due to the environment we now live in, one where they use social media daily, they embrace and are interested in new technologies.

With only 17% of the technology workforce identifying as female, have there been any particular challenges that you have had to overcome?

Years back yes, but not so much now.  In the past I did find it challenging to work with some people – usually those who had been in the organisation for years and found it hard to respect the opinion of a woman as we are in a minority in this industry.

Do you feel you have been subject to bias (unconscious or direct) and do you feel that attitudes are changing?

Personally, I feel I have never experienced bias. I can imagine that some workplaces could possibly feel a little intimidating due to them being a very male dominated environment but over the years I have seen a real turn in the technology industry. Earlier in my career I used to be the only female amongst eight managers. Now I’d say there is an equal gender balance in my immediate area of technology, and I feel that I am offered the same opportunities as my male peers.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Don’t be scared of the word technology. Never be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand.

#BalanceforBetter

At the start of this year the World Economic Forum found that there remains a perception among 52% of women that technology is a male industry, while almost a third (32%) believe gender bias is still a major hurdle in the recruitment process.

At Pontoon we want to help change this perception and we hope that by sharing Leanne’s story (and those of Anne and Sofy) we’ll inspire you to think about the way you and your organisation think about gender in the workplace.

To keep up to date with how we’re supporting IWD, and changing the world of work, one job at a time, follow us @PontoonSolution.

by Leanne Mitchell.

Vercida logo

VERCIDA works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with VERCIDA to promote your diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please email [email protected] for more information.

Business Management Consulting

Thank you for registering on VERCIDA - the leading job site for companies that are passionate about diversity and inclusion.

  • Check out our client profiles to get the latest on their DE&I credentials
  • Look out for client benefits next to all our job specs
  • Sign up for job alerts to keep up to date on new roles as they come in
  • Search 1000s of roles from the biggest brands

Please proceed to the next step. If you are unable to complete the next stage of application please use the contact form HERE.

You will receive an email with link to reset your password.

Enter your new password