Accelerating Action across the technology industry on International Women’s Day

Despite important progress, gender inequality remains an important and frequently damaging issue across the contemporary economy. Women everywhere will be familiar with an employment culture which demands they work harder to prove themselves yet receive less recognition than their male counterparts. In the technology industry, for example, women currently hold only 28% of roles and just 5% of leadership positions, while the sector-specific gender pay gap averages $15K, widening further as women climb the ranks. In leadership roles, women earn 78 cents for every dollar earned by men. Elsewhere, women-led startups receive significantly less funding than those founded by men, with an even greater disparity for women of color.

That's why the theme of International Women's Day 2025 – Accelerate Action – is so opposite. There can be few stakeholders out there who, by now, don't have a good level of insight into what the main workplace gender equality issues are – the challenge now is delivering change on a scale that permanently shifts the dial. 

There are a range of ongoing priorities. Organizations should prioritize inclusion and respect on a daily basis to create equitable work environments where women can thrive and equal opportunities for career progression exist by default. True progress will also require more leaders to engage with gender equality issues to help raise awareness and drive change.

Navigating male-dominated spaces remains a challenge for many women in tech, particularly early in their careers. Being the only woman in a room can be intimidating, yet building confidence and developing the ability to address gender equality issues—whether personally experienced or witnessed—can be transformative.

At a time when the technology industry is evolving rapidly, the gender equality narrative must do the same, and achieving real change requires grit, rigor, and resilience. Backed up by honest conversations about these experiences – particularly with those unaware of the impact of their words or actions – can be powerful because, time and again, those who have been engaged in these discussions have benefitted from the perspective and awareness they provide.

The next important issue is allyship. Both men and women must actively engage in allyship, recognizing and counteracting biases, advocating for equitable compensation, and amplifying women's voices. For women in tech, for instance, building a network of mentors and peers can foster learning, resilience, and confidence—especially if these experiences are guided by true insight into female workplace experiences. Armed with these capabilities, it will become even easier to create awareness and drive meaningful action.

A diverse and gender-equal workforce delivers substantial business advantages such as increased innovation, enhanced problem-solving capabilities, better access to talent, higher employee engagement, enhanced creativity, improved customer relations, and potentially greater profitability.

Ultimately, accelerating gender equality requires committed and collective action from businesses, individuals, and society. Companies must go beyond performative efforts and commit to tangible initiatives that support women. Accelerating progress toward inclusivity should be within the reach of every organisation to create a more balanced and equitable future.