How women in technology can drive gender equality
Antonio Tejeda Encinas, President of PCDD – Participación Ciudadana en Defensa de los Derechos Fundamentales, la Democracia y Derechos Digitales
The shortage of women in STEM fields leads to gender bias in the technology industry, where many problems are approached from a predominantly male perspective.
History offers remarkable women who were pioneers in STEM, such as Marie Curie, renowned for her work on radioactivity and the first person to win two Nobel Prizes in different scientific disciplines, or Katherine Johnson, the brilliant mathematician who calculated trajectories for NASA’s first crewed spaceflights. Despite their exceptional contributions, their achievements have often been overlooked and underestimated.
Girls face obstacles in STEM subjects from childhood. A lack of role models, the mistaken belief that they are less capable in these areas and exam anxiety, even when their marks are similar, are among the reasons why many of them steer clear of careers in science and technology. In Spain, only 28% of students choose scientific fields, and only 3 in 10 of them are girls.
This lack of female representation in STEM not only contributes to bias in technology but also limits access to the talent needed in a field where demand is growing. Gender inclusion and diversity are essential to tackling this disparity from an early age, in both education and the workplace. Companies must guarantee equal opportunities in hiring and promotion, as well as an inclusive corporate culture that values and supports employees of all genders.
What we want to see is companies committed to creating a workplace culture that promotes gender equality: offering flexible working policies and professional development programmes for their female employees, and training their leaders in diversity and inclusion.
By valuing and supporting everyone, regardless of gender, companies can drive innovation and business success while creating more inclusive and diverse workplaces. Together, we can move towards greater gender equity and improve productivity and results in the workplace.
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