More needs to be done to elevate women in tech leadership roles
A survey by AND Digital, featured in its 'Rewards & Resilience' report, revealed that 68% of women believe more can be done to enhance the workplace for women in leadership, particularly through better career pathways and mentorship support.
The report, which surveyed over 200 female tech leaders, highlighted both the achievements and difficulties faced by women in the industry. It emphasised the need for more mentorship and networking opportunities, with 36% of respondents stating their organisations lacked sufficient programmes in these areas. Additionally, 40% of the women expressed a desire to mentor others but were hindered by organisational barriers.
Despite these obstacles, 63% of respondents felt leadership roles were equally accessible to both men and women. However, many female leaders called for improvements, such as promoting more women internally and providing more training and development opportunities to foster career growth.
Wendy Stonefield, London Hub Executive at AND Digital said: "The Rewards & Resilience report provides a roadmap for businesses to be genuinely inclusive at heart and it highlights how critical it is for business leaders to encourage women into leadership roles."
"Businesses must also consider supporting women in leadership positions by providing them with the time and resources necessary to effectively mentor the next generation of leaders. Additionally, offering networking and mentoring programmes that connect women both within, and beyond their current organisation all count when it comes to building strong communities of female leaders and importantly future female leaders."
'Rewards & Resilience' is the latest in a series of measures by AND to champion the role of women in tech roles. The company is rolling out initiatives to support women in tech, including a dedicated women-in-tech community, the AND She Can programme, and truly flexible working policies.
Dame Stephanie Shirley, author of Let It Go commented: "This report stands as a testament to the collective efforts of private individuals, organisations and communities dedicated to fostering inclusivity and equity. It celebrates all those who have blazed trails, shattered glass ceilings and inspired the generations to come."
For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.
