Survey Reveals Persistent Sexism and Gender Bias in the Tech Industry

• November 9, 2023
• Andrew

A recent survey conducted at Web Summit has shed light on the ongoing challenges of gender inequality and bias faced by women in the tech industry. The findings indicate that, despite some positive trends, nearly 50 % of women still believe that their workplaces are not effectively combating gender inequality.

Increasing Perception of Gender Inequality
The third annual “State of Gender Equity in Tech” report, based on a survey distributed among the global women in the tech community, revealed that the percentage of women who feel their workplaces are not taking appropriate measures to address gender inequality has nearly doubled in the span of a year. This stark increase in perception reflects a growing concern within the industry.

A Slight Rise in Reported Sexism
The survey, which received almost 500 responses, exposed a slight but disheartening trend. In the past 12 months, 53.6 % of women reported experiencing sexism in the workplace, representing a four % increase since 2022. These instances of sexism highlight the persistence of gender-based biases, which continue to create obstacles for women in tech.

The Ongoing Struggle for Recognition
A substantial majority of respondents, 77.2 %, expressed the need to work harder to prove themselves due to their gender. One respondent poignantly noted, “I am questioned at every step, even when something is absolutely common sense. I have a few strong male champions supporting me, but I know for a fact they had to ‘defend’ their decision to keep me in the past.” These experiences underline the ongoing struggle for recognition and equal treatment.

Positive Trends Amid Challenges
While the survey underscores the enduring challenges women face in the tech industry, there are positive trends as well. A significant proportion of respondents (76.1 %) felt empowered to pursue and hold leadership positions. One respondent asserted, “I don’t wait for permission. I ask for and pursue what I want.”
Fewer women (41.8 %) felt the need to choose between their family and careers compared to the previous year, indicating some progress in work-life balance.
Encouraging the Presence of Women in Leadership
Another encouraging aspect of the survey is that 80.4 % of respondents reported having at least one woman in a senior management position in their companies, a figure similar to the previous year (81.3 %). This presence of women in leadership positions is a testament to the industry’s potential for change.

The Call for Progress
Carolyn Quinlan, VP of community at Web Summit, commented on the survey’s findings, saying, “While it is encouraging to have progress in some areas, such as those feeling the need to choose between their family and career, there are also some deeply concerning trends within this report. Witnessing an increase in those who report having experienced sexism in the workplace in the last year is disheartening in 2023. We hope that this kind of research can breed some positives and that it will push workplaces – and women within these workplaces – to broach these topics and make progress in these areas.”

Conclusion
The survey’s findings underscore the importance of addressing and combatting gender inequality and sexism in the tech industry. While there have been some positive developments, such as increased empowerment and work-life balance, the persistence of sexism and the growing perception of gender inequality demand sustained efforts to promote a more inclusive and equitable tech sector. This research serves as a call to action for both companies and women within the industry to work together to effect positive change.
The mentioned report may be downloaded from here.