5 Companies Growing Women in Tech

February 8, 2024

Women in tech continue to be significantly underrepresented, prompting these 5 companies to champion the cause of supporting women and bridging the diversity gap in technology.

Despite ongoing discussions about the scarcity of women in IT, they still face considerable underrepresentation in STEM fields such as biotech, as highlighted by a National Science Foundation study. The future also seems bleak, with women receiving only 19% of computer science degrees in 2016, a decrease from 27% in 1997. Furthermore, in science, engineering, mathematics, and computer science roles, women generally earn less than their male counterparts, with an average annual salary of $66,000 compared to $90,000 for men in the US.

Recent statistics also show a troubling trend regarding women’s representation in IT. In 2022, over half of the companies experienced a 20% reduction in their tech workforce due to attrition, with a higher percentage of women technologists (16%) leaving compared to men (13%). The exodus of women from tech jobs doubled in 2022 compared to 2021, bringing the representation of women in the IT industry back to pre-pandemic levels, with women holding 27% of technology positions as opposed to nearly 29% in 2020, based on AnitaB.org data.

This backdrop has fueled the growth of companies aimed at empowering and supporting women in tech roles. The current landscape of networking and advocacy features a variety of programs and organisations designed for girls, women, and anyone who identifies as a woman, many of which welcome male allies. This article will introduce 5 pivotal organisations dedicated to elevating women in technology, promoting workplace inclusivity, and narrowing the diversity gap.

Ada Developers Academy

Ada Developers Academy is a nonprofit coding school offering tuition-free education to women and gender-expansive individuals, with a focus on supporting BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and those from low-income backgrounds. The program fosters a supportive learning atmosphere, providing personalised assistance through mentorship, tutoring, mental health resources, and affinity groups. Students engage in a paid “applied learning internship,” gaining hands-on coding experience and the necessary skills to pursue a career in software development.

AnitaB.org

AnitaB.org, established in 1997 by computer scientists Anita Borg and Telle Whitney, is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women in the technology sector. The organisation’s mission is to connect, inspire, and guide women in the field of computing. It encompasses Systers, the earliest online community for women in technology, created by Anita Borg in 1987. Still active today, Systers remains the most extensive email network for women in technical computing globally, boasting over 8,500 members.

Black Girls Code

Black Girls Code was founded by Kimberly Bryant due to her experience of cultural isolation in her college electrical engineering and computer programming courses. The underrepresentation of women in STEM is even more pronounced for women of colour within the field. Black Girls Code seeks to empower young girls of colour by providing them with the necessary resources to thrive in STEM disciplines. By fostering an early interest in technology, the organisation aims to encourage girls to pursue STEM careers, demonstrating that tech is a viable career path for them.

Change Catalyst

Change Catalyst was established as a response to the diversity statistics of the Silicon Valley tech industry revealed in 2014, focusing on enhancing diversity within the tech sector for women and minorities. The organisation works to create inclusive tech ecosystems through strategic advice, support for startups, and hosting events worldwide, as outlined on its website. Change Catalyst participates in various forums, including all-hands meetings, team offsites, leadership retreats, industry conferences, and startup programs. It also offers learning and development programming, inclusive event organisation, and tailored training solutions. Additionally, Change Catalyst provides personalised inclusive leadership coaching, assisting leaders in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within their organisations.

Girl Develop It

Girl Develop It offers web and software development courses at affordable rates in a “judgement-free zone.” The nonprofit organisation offers hands-on programs that teach women and non-binary professional skills for software development and supports a diverse network of women in STEM. Girl Develop It has charters in 60 cities across the country, but if you can’t find one in your area you can submit a request for a new chapter where you live. The goal of the organisation is to help eliminate barriers for women and non-binary individuals through live and hybrid workshops on career topics, one on one instructor study, and learning and networking events for members.

Published on 08-02-2024