# Boosting gender equality in tech: the importance of mentorship to enhance diversity
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2022-03-15
Category: BUSINESS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/business
Meta Title: Closing the Gender Gap in Tech: Impactful Strategies for
Meta Description: Discover why mentorship is crucial for promoting diversity in tech and bridging the gender gap. Learn how female leaders can make a difference today.
URL: https://financedigest.com/boosting-gender-equality-in-tech-the-importance-of-mentorship-to-enhance-diversityhtml

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_By **Robin Stimac**, Chief Product Officer (CPO) of next gen document generation platform_ [_Templafy_](https://www.templafy.com) _,_

With International Women’s Day having just passed, this is a great time to reflect on how we are tracking on equality and inclusivity – as a society as a whole, but also within the tech industry.

Only 25% of tech workers in the UK are women – and that percentage is even lower for women of colour. The World Economic Forum’s [2021 Global Gender Gap Report](https://www.weforum.org/reports/global-gender-gap-report-2021) predicts that it will take 135.6 years to close the gender gap globally, with the COVID-19 pandemic having added an extra 36 years. But there are actions companies can take now to make real and meaningful change today.

**Diversity in numbers**

Diversity in [tech is critical since it directly improves the likelihood that the solutions created here will take the needs](https://www.financedigest.com/tech-awakening-needed-across-uk-workforce.html "Tech awakening needed across UK workforce") of all types of users into consideration. Also important, [a report from McKinsey](https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/diversity-wins-how-inclusion-matters) found that diverse companies perform significantly better than those with little gender and ethnic diversity in their workforce. But there is still much progress to make, especially following the events of the [past two years](https://www.financedigest.com/big-banks-want-survive-past-next-10-years-need-adapt.html "If the big banks want to survive past the next 10 years, they need to adapt").

The pandemic has disproportionately impacted women according to a 2021 report from [TrustRadius](https://www.trustradius.com/buyer-blog/women-in-tech-report?utm_source=pr&utm_medium=pressrelease&utm_campaign=womenintech2021) – 57% of women in tech roles experienced more burnout than normal in 2021, compared to 36% of men. This is most likely due to the fact that 44% of [women reported having to take on extra responsibilities at work](https://www.financedigest.com/meet-the-women-working-hard-in-house-building.html "Meet The Women Working Hard In House Building"), and 33% had to juggle more childcare responsibilities compared to only 19% of men.

**Tackling the [gender gap](https://www.financedigest.com/how-has-hybrid-working-impacted-the-gender-gap.html "How has hybrid working impacted the gender gap?") through mentorship**

It is [clear that this is a salient issue and more effort](https://www.financedigest.com/turkey-clears-away-rubble-from-earthquake-rescue-efforts-wind-down.html "Turkey clears away rubble from earthquake, rescue efforts wind down") needs to be put into diversifying tech and making the field more conducive for women. To ensure we continue to bridge the divide, it is [important for female leaders](https://www.financedigest.com/leaders-recognise-the-importance-of-green-transport-at-cop27-but-we-need-data.html "Leaders recognise the importance of green transport at COP27, but we need data") in technology to accept their role in leading the change.  It can be as simple as fostering mentor relationships across their own networks, whether it be within their own organisation or outside of it. Having relatable, [female role models opens up endless possibilities for women as they build their career and is one of the top](https://www.financedigest.com/a-female-founders-top-tips-for-success-for-women-in-business.html "A female founder’s top tips for success for women in business") strategies for ultimately bridging the gap in leadership.

A [study](https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/74541) by Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations found that mentorship programs are one of the most effective methods for promoting workplace diversity. Mentoring can also help [improve promotion and retention](https://www.financedigest.com/agent-retention-is-central-to-improving-the-customer-experience-across-financial-services.html "Agent Retention is Central to Improving the Customer Experience Across Financial Services   ") rates for women and minorities, boosting the representation of women in managerial positions as much as 24%. Moreover, it is a great way to forge female solidarity at work: a [study](https://www.ddiworld.com/research/mentoring-women-in-the-workplace) by DDI found that 80% of women who mentor do it because they want to support other women. Additionally, 74% noted that they mentor because they have benefitted from their own mentorship experiences.

However, [despite their potential, mentorship programs have not been embraced enough: the DDI study found that 63% of women have not had a formal mentor, despite 67% of them rating it as highly important](https://www.financedigest.com/despite-the-headwinds-investors-have-important-reasons-to-be-cheerful.html "DESPITE THE HEADWINDS, INVESTORS HAVE IMPORTANT REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL") to advance in their careers. [Prominent women in tech that have taken up mentor roles](https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2017/jan/16/shes-been-life-changing-why-female-mentors-matter-in-tech) include Tabitha Goldstaub, co-founder of CogX and chair of the UK government’s AI Council, and Amali de Alwis, ex-CEO of Code: Girls First and current Managing Director of Microsoft for Startups UK. They all agree on the importance of mentoring to [boost confidence](https://www.financedigest.com/how-the-epa-plans-to-boost-confidence-in-the-uk-payments-industry-post-brexit.html "How the EPA plans to boost confidence in the UK payments industry post Brexit") and inspire others.

Throughout my career, I’ve benefited from watching and working with many strong and [successful women leaders](https://www.financedigest.com/young-leaders-forum-debating-what-successful-leadership-looks-like-in-the-digital-age.html "Young Leaders Forum, debating what successful leadership looks like in the digital age"). They not only helped to [bolster my technical and leadership](https://www.financedigest.com/tailify-bolsters-leadership-team-with-addition-of-julia-burton-brown-as-commercial-director.html "Tailify bolsters leadership team with addition of Julia Burton Brown as Commercial Director") skills but also challenged me to find my courage and to contribute to creating a sense of belonging for others in whatever role I found myself. They showed me the impact each of us can have in setting a positive path for future generations – and it’s a role I would encourage us each to embrace as we [move towards](https://www.financedigest.com/investment-advice-moving-towards-a-new-model.html "Investment advice – moving towards a new model") a more equitable world.

**Towards a more diverse future**

Achieving gender equality in tech requires the active involvement of women in leadership positions, along with [support by male allies](https://www.financedigest.com/comserve-to-support-allied-irish-bank-nationwide.html "COMSERVE TO SUPPORT ALLIED IRISH BANK NATIONWIDE"). Having visible [female role models is also incredibly important](https://www.financedigest.com/the-importance-of-female-entrepreneurship.html "The Importance of female entrepreneurship") to inspire young girls and spark their interest in STEM subjects. It’s why we need to put ourselves out there as thought leaders in the media, at [events and on social media](https://www.financedigest.com/why-no-event-should-be-planned-without-a-social-media-strategy.html "Why No Event Should Be Planned Without a Social Media Strategy").

In a similar vein, mentorship has proven to be a highly [successful method to diversify workplaces and should be more broadly implemented](https://www.financedigest.com/synapses-premier-partner-green-light-change-completes-successful-implementation-of-insight-solution-at-ramboll.html "Synapse’s Premier Partner, Green Light Change, Completes Successful Implementation of Insight Solution at Ramboll"). Embracing diversity positively impacts performance and can help [create better products](https://www.financedigest.com/4-tips-for-creating-a-calm-workspace-to-boost-productivity.html "4 tips for creating a calm workspace to boost productivity") that benefit all sectors of the population. Raising the profile of women in leadership positions and making sure we support other women through efforts like mentorships can help narrow the gender [gap and shape a more diverse tech](https://www.financedigest.com/how-can-banks-overcome-the-tech-trust-gap.html "How can banks overcome the tech trust gap?") industry that better represents and better serves everyone.

**_![](https://prod.superblogcdn.com/site_cuid_cm5qst7v3003gwirgwqtxn8i8/images/556-1736815962537-compressed.jpg)_**

 **_Author_** _**Bio**_ **:**

_**Robin Stimac** is the Chief Product Officer (CPO) of next gen document generation platform_ [_Templafy_](https://www.templafy.com/) _,_ _with over 20 years experience in B2B product management, portfolio and market strategy, and solution sales consulting. She is driven by the desire to creatively solve problems with technology and to deliver innovative [software solutions that transform workplace experiences and improve](https://www.financedigest.com/how-to-use-momentum-analytics-software-to-improve-portfolio-performance.html "How to use momentum analytics software to improve portfolio performance") business outcomes._


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