A thriving economy is one where everyone – regardless of gender – has equal access to opportunities. When women are provided with a level playing field, not only does the economic landscape improve, but societal transformation follows.

Research consistently highlights how women leaders foster inclusivity, collaboration, and innovation. However, according to UNESCO, women make up only 35% of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) graduates, with the figure unchanged in the past decade.

The lack of equal representation emerges from various challenges, including limited career pathways and support systems.

STEM education has proven to be a catalyst for change, particularly for young girls. It equips them with the knowledge and tools to navigate a rapidly evolving, technology-driven world. Yet, despite its promise, many women either drop out of courses or struggle to find jobs that align with their qualifications and aspirations.

As India accelerates its adoption of cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, cloud computing, intelligent edge, and 5G, the true potential of these advancements can only be realised when developed by a diverse and inclusive workforce. This is where gender diversity in tech organisations becomes crucial.

Against this backdrop, tech companies play an important role in encouraging and empowering women to pursue their career paths in STEM by crafting programmes that not only support women to innovate but also keep them motivated to mentor the next generation.

Spurred by government initiatives such as ‘Make in India,’ the country is tapping into a vast reservoir of highly skilled talent poised to reshape its technology landscape. However, the lack of a structured financial ecosystem often hinders innovation.

Women, in particular, face challenges due to rigid work structures, societal expectations, and limited access to funding.

To bridge the innovation gap, organisations must establish robust financial ecosystems and incubators that nurture high-quality ideas from concept to market. While the merit of an idea should always be the key criterion, women innovators often encounter systemic barriers such as limited access to funding and support networks that can prevent even the most promising innovations from thriving. Investing in women-led ideas, therefore, is about ensuring that exceptional ideas aren’t sidelined by these challenges, and about tapping into an underutilised pool of talent that can drive transformative change.

Creating a bias-free workplace for women

Apart from societal pressures and stereotypes, unconscious biases often create hurdles for women in traditionally male-dominated fields such as research and development. Inspirational figures such as Tessy Thomas – India’s first woman scientist to lead a missile project – demonstrate that with the right support and mentorship, women can achieve exceptional milestones.

Time and again, women have shown that they can create success stories with the right support and encouragement. It is therefore essential to address the gaps that hinder women’s participation in STEM careers. The focus should be on expanding the talent pipeline and making gender diversity a fundamental aspect of hiring. Additionally, efforts must be made to eliminate unconscious bias in recruitment and promotions.

Lastly, corporate rewards which highlight progress in objective hiring and policies/initiatives that are women-friendly need the spotlight and encouragement.

Encouraging women innovators

To advance women’s participation in STEM, organisations must establish mentorship networks and innovation programs that provide a safe space for women to share ideas and take risks.

For example, WeSTEM – one of UN Women’s flagship projects funded along with the Madhya Pradesh State Skill Development and Employment Generation Board – aims to equip 2,000 young women from tribal areas with the skills necessary for thriving in high-growth STEM careers.

Companies can further support such initiatives by offering training, funding opportunities, and networking events, ensuring women have the resources to transform their visions into reality.

When women are given the opportunity to innovate in the technology industry, it not only benefits the industry alone but also drives broader societal development.

Women are increasingly making their mark as creators and innovators. Hence, integrating women in the sector will not only help the sector to thrive, but will significantly contribute to the industry.