A new study from ISACA reveals an ongoing gender diversity challenge in the IT sector. While 87% of IT professionals acknowledge the issue, only 41% of organizations have initiatives to hire more women. This imbalance persists even as businesses face challenges in attracting and retaining talent, with 74% identifying it as a critical concern.
Key Insights from the ISACA Report
- Underrepresentation of Women in IT
- Male Leadership Dominance: 43% of women and 21% of men attribute the gender gap to a lack of female role models in leadership.
- Pay Inequality: Cited by 42% of women but only 15% of men as a significant barrier.
- Perceived Authority Gap:
- Men rate their influence on purchasing decisions 13 percentage points higher than women.
- Men feel more involved in shaping company strategy, with a 10-point gap compared to women.
- Efforts for Inclusion and Progress
- Recommendations for Educational Institutions:
- Mentorship programs and role models (52%).
- Women-centric tech clubs and networking opportunities (42%).
- Recruiting female tech professors (31%).
- Career Satisfaction:
- 68% of women and 72% of men report being highly satisfied with their career progression.
- 73% of women and 71% of men received salary increases or promotions in the last two years.
- Recommendations for Educational Institutions:
- Leadership Perspectives
- Julia Kanouse (ISACA): Advocates for welcoming women’s leadership and influence to address skill gaps and foster a diverse work culture.
- Sarah Orton (SheLeadsTech): Highlights the business benefits of workforce diversity in driving innovation and effectiveness.
The IT sector has made progress in promoting diversity, but more focused efforts are needed to bridge gender gaps. Initiatives like ISACA’s SheLeadsTech play a crucial role in fostering inclusivity and empowering women to lead in technology.
