The technology industry has long been recognized as a driver of innovation, but its progress on gender representation has been stalling. As of 2023, women comprised 35% of employees in U.S. STEM, with tech leadership participation at lower rates from there. If we want to create an equitable, forward-looking industry, organizations must commit to strategies that both attract and empower women in tech.
Flexible and Remote Work: A Key to Retention
Many working mothers face tough choices with the return-to-office mandates. A recent analysis of federal data shows that the percentage of women aged 25 to 44 with children under five has fallen to its lowest point in over three years. This decrease isn’t accidental—high childcare costs and inflexible schedules are pushing many out of the workforce entirely.
Offering flexible or remote work options in tech roles is an effective way to reverse this trend. Flexibility allows women, particularly those with young children, to balance their personal and professional responsibilities more easily. Remote work also opens up new opportunities for women in tech who may not live near traditional tech hubs. By emphasizing flexibility, organizations can both broaden their talent pool and foster a more supportive environment for employees who might otherwise need to pause their careers.
Equal Pay: Closing the Wage Gap
Representation is just one part of the puzzle. Even when women secure roles in tech, they are too often underpaid. On average, women in the industry earn $15,000 less annually than their male peers. This wage gap not only affects individual incomes—it also discourages long-term participation and career growth in the field.
True equity also means making sure women have equal chances to get raises and bonuses. Right now, fewer women report receiving raises compared to men (52% vs. 56%), and only 40% of women say they received bonuses that increased their yearly income, compared to 53% of men. These gaps add up over time, increasing the difference in wealth and opportunities. By committing to pay transparency, regular audits, and fair distribution of raises and incentives, organizations can show women in tech that their efforts are appreciated at every level.
Promotional Opportunities, Mentorship & Women in Leadership
Hiring more women in tech is just the beginning—keeping them there requires offering clear paths for advancement. Mentorship and sponsorship programs can help women overcome career obstacles, boost confidence, and gain access to leadership roles.
Representation at the top also matters. As Lana Feng of Huma.AI explains,
“Leading by example and representation matter. That is why having women on the leadership team helps create a diverse and inclusive tech team. It attracts more diverse candidates to the company, and those candidates enable a more well-rounded approach to solving difficult problems and help the team avoid groupthink.”
When women see role models in leadership, they are more likely to stay and pursue senior positions themselves. Companies that emphasize mentorship and representation not only support women in tech but also enhance innovation and decision-making throughout the organization.
Strong Inclusive Initiatives
To create lasting change, companies need to move beyond surface-level commitments and truly integrate diversity and inclusion into their culture. That involves reviewing hiring and promotion practices for bias, standardizing the recruitment and interview process, establishing employee resource groups, and reporting progress transparently. When inclusion is put into practice with measurable actions, organizations not only attract and retain more women in tech but also develop stronger, more innovative teams.
Closing the Gap to Empower Women in Tech
The lack of progress in women’s representation in engineering and tech roles emphasizes the need for purposeful action. Organizations can close this gap by offering flexible work options, ensuring equal pay, providing mentorship and leadership opportunities, and adopting practices to combat bias and promote inclusion. Taking these steps not only helps women in tech but also strengthens teams, fosters innovation, and enhances overall organizational success.