Tech Career Decoded #6: Are Gen Z women turning the gender gap tide? 

February 11th marked International Day of Women and Girls in Science, reminding us of the incredible contributions women make in STEM fields.

However, we can’t ignore the fact that the tech industry still grapples with a persistent gender gap. Women still only make up 29% of tech workers globally and are even more underrepresented in senior roles (LinkedIn Talent Insights - Feb 8th / 2024).  

But there's a glimmer of hope: Gen Z women (born after 1996) are showing significantly higher interest in IT careers compared to millennials. Which begs a crucial question: how will these young tech pioneers shape the future of the industry?

In this edition of Tech Career Decoded, we'll dive into the driving forces behind this shift, explore the potential impact of Gen Z women in tech, and shine a spotlight on inspiring individuals already making waves in the field. 

How Gen Z women are reshaping the gender imbalance in the tech industry

Remember dial-up internet and those clunky desktop computers? Yeah, Gen Z wouldn't know anything about that. Unlike previous generations, technology isn't a foreign language for them, it's second nature. With smartphones in their pockets from an early age, digital literacy is a defining characteristic of their generation.  

And this tech-savvy nature seems to be translating into a shift in the gender gap within STEM fields. The National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) found that girls and young women are now achieving equal results in maths and science compared to boys and young men. 

Additionally, Gen Z women are less intimidated by the technical aspects of STEM fields, actively embracing the creative and problem-solving opportunities they offer. There’s even data backing up this trend: the latest LinkedIn Talent Insights reveals that more Gen Z women are working in tech globally compared to other generations.  

The impact of Gen Z women extends beyond simply closing the gender gap. Studies have shown that gender equality can lead to economic growth thanks to higher levels of employment and productivity.  

But their contribution could go beyond productivity and profitability. For instance, Gen Zers generally have a strong sense of social justice, and a focus on ethical considerations could steer tech innovation towards a more equitable and responsible future. From tackling bias in algorithms to creating inclusive design principles, Gen Z women are poised to be the driving force behind a more human-centred and inclusive tech landscape. 

5 inspiring young women making a difference in tech 

Clearly, the tech industry can benefit from the diverse perspectives and talents of women. But seeing few women in leadership roles can discourage young women from pursuing careers in the field. That’s why we’re excited to share the inspiring journeys of five women in tech who are breaking down barriers and paving the way for others.  

Jahnnobi Rahman , CEO of Relaxy (Bangladesh)

Jahnnobi Rahman, a computer science grad turned tech CEO, is showcasing the power of tech for good. Witnessing the rise of mental health concerns among young Bangladeshis, she co-founded Relaxy, a digital platform offering free mood checks, meditations, and affordable on-demand therapy. This personalised, accessible approach has empowered over 12,000 people to prioritise and improve their well-being.  

Alba Forns , COO & Co-founder of Climatize (Spain)

Alba Forns, holds two master’s degrees in Energy Engineering and Sustainable Energy Technologies, and is the COO & Co-founder of Climatize - a tool enabling anyone to invest in renewable energy projects. Inspired by the 2019 global climate strikes where they saw over 100,000 people protesting for climate action, Alba ran an experiment with her Co-founder to see if they could crowdfund enough money to fund a small solar array in Kenya. Climatize was born. Since then, over $2,000,000 has been invested in solar projects via the platform.   

Sara Wahedi, CEO & Founder of Ehtesab (Afghanistan) 

Technologist and human rights activist Sara Wahedi has made security and safety her life’s mission. She created the digital app, Ehtesab which provides real-time emergency alerts to Kabul residents on everything from electricity outages to explosions and gunfire. This digital app has become a lifeline, especially for women and girls, since the Taliban took control of the country in 2021.  

Agustina Fainguersch , Managing Director, Spanish-Speaking Latin America & Miami at Meta (Argentina)

Agustina Fainguersch is a winner of the prestigious MIT Innovator Under 35 award and a software engineer with a master's degree from ITBA in Buenos Aires. Agustina's journey into the world of STEM was ignited by her passion for mathematics and science. She founded Muzi, an app designed to enhance access and affordability in health diagnostics, and then Wolox, a cloud native and agile development company, which was later sold to Accenture. Agustina is  now a regional director at Meta, showing that women can break through tech’s glass ceiling.  

Taylor Lint , CEO & Founder of Swantide (United States) 

As a software engineer in Silicon Valley, Taylor Lint kept running into the same problem over and over: it was a headache to set up internal software tools like Salesforce. That’s why Taylor launched Swantide to help companies of all sizes to fast-track the setup process. Before Swantide, Taylor led engineering and product at Replica, and led engineering for the launch of LinkedIn’s Talent Insights product. As an engineer in a male-dominated space, Lint has set an ambitious goal to close the gender gap by maintaining an engineering staff that is at least 50% women. 

These women are just a few examples of the many inspiring role models paving the way for Gen Z women in tech. If you know more, let us know in the comments below! 

Hiring strategies to combat the gender gap in tech 

 Struggling to build an inclusive tech team? You're not alone. But what if you could unlock a hidden pool of top female tech talent? From diverse candidate sourcing to gender-blind interviews, our experts have the tips you need to increase your female tech hires in 2024. 

“One way companies can reduce gender bias in the hiring process is by looking for talent beyond the usual places. Universities with diverse student populations, specialised tech communities, and professional networking networks are great places to broaden the talent pool. But remember, representation also matters. That’s why it’s important to highlight women in leadership positions and showcase their contributions to inspire other women to pursue careers in tech.  Another way to attract and retain female talent is by offering appealing work arrangements such as remote work options, flexible hours, and parental leave policies that support work-life balance. Finally, make sure you’re always promoting your company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion through marketing, social media, and industry events. This helps to attract diverse candidates and highlights your values.”  

Teresa Spinola - Executive Director Technology - The Netherlands 

Addressing the gender gap in IT recruitment requires proactive measures beyond the immediate market needs. Building a stronger female presence starts early, in schools. Counteracting the misconception that women lack interest in STEM fields is crucial as breaking down these stereotypes opens doors to a wider talent pool. Empowering women in tech involves two key steps. Firstly, encouraging women to step forward: applying for positions and actively engaging in IT communities where they can leverage their knowledge and passion. Secondly, recruiters need to actively reach out to these communities, offering valuable training, information, and fair assessments based on relevant skills, not outdated stereotypes.”

Carolina Chaves Algarra , Director Technology – Colombia 

“The primary reason for the gender gap in the tech industry stems from a lack of female candidates entering the field, rather than shortcomings in the recruitment procedures. That’s why it's crucial for women to acquire the necessary technical skills to become competitive applicants. Upskilling emerges as a key strategy to empower women with the expertise needed to thrive in tech roles. In the tech sector, technical abilities are often prioritised over other skills when employers are selecting the ideal candidate. Efforts to narrow the gender gap in the APAC tech sector are gaining momentum, with initiatives driven by governments, corporations, and educational institutions. Moving forward, it's essential to expand these efforts beyond entry-level positions and focus on supporting and mentoring women throughout their careers, from mid-career transitions to leadership development programs. This will not only cultivate role models but also convince other women that they can have a successful career in technology.”

Nicolas Dumoulin , Senior Managing Director for India, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam 

Could Gen Z women be the answer to tech’s gender diversity problem? Know any other women breaking the glass ceiling in tech?  

We love hearing from our tech-savvy community, so please drop your thoughts in the comments below and join the conversation. 

And don't miss out on our future editions by subscribing to stay updated with the latest tech insights.  

Thanks for reading!    

The Michael Page Technology team