Gender equality in the technology sector has taken a step back in the last year, from the perspective of six in 10 women working in the field. Although they (81%) feel more prepared than ever to lead their teams, more than half (56%) believe that the current geopolitical scenario of ending diversity goals and programs by U.S. companies and federal agencies is impacting the presence of women in already underrepresented and male-dominated regions.
That’s what data from the sixth edition of the State of Gender report, an annual survey of women’s participation in technology and its challenges around the world, shows. The research was conducted by the team from Web Summit’s Women in Tech inclusion program, the world’s leading technology and innovation event. The results were announced a few weeks before the Lisbon competition, which will be held from November 10 to 13.
“The men’s club is back in full force,” said one interviewee.
Geopolitics impedes diversity
The numbers reveal dramatic changes from year to year of the study. In 2024, 51% of women believed that gender equality in technology was improving. This year, 60% reported that this movement has worsened.
Most of them believe that this reversal is due to cuts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and global instability that has left gender issues in the background. Some point to a so-called “war situation” that could limit funding for projects aimed at training women and reduce resources allocated to corporate diversity.
According to the survey, 61% of respondents disagree that the tech industry is taking adequate steps to combat gender inequality.
The latest edition of the survey shows that even though women feel more confident and prepared in the technology market, their daily challenges remain virtually unchanged. Prejudice, lack of representation in leadership positions, and lack of balance between personal and professional lives are long-standing obstacles.
Almost half (49%) of those interviewed reported experiencing sexism or some type of prejudice in the past 12 months. In 2024 and 2023, these percentages were 51% and 54%, respectively. For them, masculinity is more implicit. It shows up when you’re interrupted during a meeting, when your ideas are ignored or restated by a male colleague, or even when your technical expertise is repeatedly questioned.
Additionally, more than 8 in 10 women feel they need to work harder than others to prove themselves, the highest percentage in the past three years.
Choosing a job and starting a family remain dilemmas. More than half (56.5%) of those interviewed said they had to choose one or the other, an increase of more than 7 percentage points compared to last year.
“If you’re not willing to stay in the office late every day because you have a family, you won’t have the same chance of promotion,” said one interviewee, who requested anonymity.
Despite continuing obstacles, they are optimistic about the role technology can play in rebalancing the game. The majority of women (77%) say they use artificial intelligence tools every day, and three in four believe AI and automation can foster more inclusivity, creativity, and work-life balance.
However, one in four people are concerned that technology will end up reinforcing existing gender biases.
The study interviewed 671 participants in the global community Women in Tech, a web summit program. We have respondents from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa. Their ages range from 18 to 74, with the majority between 35 and 44.
About The Author
