IWD 2025: Creating sustainable Technology careers
While March 8th marks International Women's Day 2025, this year's theme, "Accelerate Action" should inspire progress every day of the year.
International Women's Day is a powerful reminder of how diverse perspectives drive innovation and collaboration. True progress happens when we provide inclusive environments celebrating all differences, not just gender. Where speaking out and speaking up is encouraged. Where diversity of thought is not just an ideal, but an everyday reality.
Transformative change is reshaping our industry and it's great for diversity in tech. The rise of new technologies, the impact of future skill requirements, collaborative workplace cultures and changing societal norms are creating unprecedented opportunities for women to focus on their careers. This is leveling the playing field and fostering a more inclusive and dynamic tech industry.
Flexibility redefined – the new norm
The shift back to office life is rekindling collaboration and workplace culture, yet the concept of flexibility has been forever transformed for the benefit of women pursuing career opportunities in tech. The era of extensive home-based work has redefined societal norms regarding parental roles within the family. We've normalised and accepted that men want to play a more active role in home life and be present in the lives of their kids. After-school sports, everyday pick-up or drop-off and career breaks to serve as the primary caregiver have become both prevalent and encouraged.
Around one in six men accounted for all primary carer leave taken in 2023-24, according to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA).
This newfound flexibility has levelled the playing field, creating unprecedented opportunities for women to focus more attention on their career. And with no going back, it's inevitable that we'll continue to see a rise in representation of women in the workplace.
Career Plateaus – keeping women in tech connected
There's no debate, juggling a career and young family is tough and those early years feel like a mountain you'll never climb, leaving many parents feeling like they're not at their best at work or at home. Career plateaus remain a genuine choice for some parents, most often women, who opt to take time out of the workforce, to work part-time, or to slow down their careers by taking a less demanding role, so they can be there for their kids.
Research from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet indicates that women's earnings are reduced by an average of 55 per cent in the first five years of parenthood.
It's hard not to feel like we are failing these women or taking a step back in time, when it comes to the growth of women in IT. While this choice is understandable, it begs the question: how can we minimise the impact of a career slowdown on women's future prospects? With a bit of creativity, there are solutions.
We need to keep people connected to the workplace even when they make the brave choice to take a step back. Include them in alumni events. Address resource issues by bundling work that can be done at home and flexibly into project consulting opportunities. Include them in online collaboration events to stay connected to their colleagues. Help keep their skills current by providing access to courses and tech certifications that they can complete at their own pace.
We can't ignore the reality of career plateaus, a phenomenon that affects more than just young families. Similar challenges are faced by those caring for elderly parents or multicultural teams staying connected with family abroad. These and many other examples highlight the need for our people to thoughtfully integrate work with life commitments.
Belonging, in addition to inclusion, is what keeps people engaged and committed to their careers. Creating an environment where employees feel a deep sense of purpose and connection – through meaningful work and opportunities, mirrors what makes the tech industry so appealing. It is important to take proactive steps to ensure women can take time out and return to their careers without disadvantage.
New skill requirements unlocking opportunities for women
Technology is changing the world of work, and the capabilities required in the future are levelling the playing field for women to enter tech from other fields. While technical skills will always have a place, the growing emphasis on interpersonal capabilities is transforming our sector. Skills such as collaboration, partnering, building deep connections and relationships with customers, and maintaining a curiosity to learn in this rapidly evolving landscape are becoming increasingly valuable.
This shift will inevitably make the tech industry more accessible to people who previously believed they lacked the industry experience to join. We've recently had professionals transition from healthcare, agriculture and finance. This evolution is not only broadening the talent pool but also fostering a more diverse and dynamic workforce. As these trends continue, the tech industry will become a more attractive place for women and others from varied backgrounds, ultimately driving innovation and growth.
One of the most exciting outcomes of these trends is the increased diversity of thought that broader representation brings to organisations.
Let's not wait for another International Women's Day to make a difference. Let's Accelerate Action every day by encouraging open dialogue on these topics so real and meaningful solutions can be reached. Let's foster an environment where people can participate in different ways so they can stay connected and balance their personal and professional lives in different ways that keeps future options open. Let's ensure that flexibility, career support, and opportunities for growth are not just buzzwords but actionable realities. By doing so, we can drive innovation and growth, making the tech industry a more attractive and inclusive place for everyone.
IWD is more than a celebration; it's an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to building a truly inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.