A study has found 90% of
female IT professionals believe the
industry is biased against them.
According to the research from IT recruitment firm InterQuest,
one in three women
have experienced sexism in the workplace. However, 70% of men
interviewed don't believe discrimination is an issue at all.
Three quarters of female IT professionals feel their skills and
strengths are suited to technology and said they
chose a career in IT on that basis.
"It's clear from the research that when it comes to IT, women
can feel undervalued and undermined," said Emma Gray, director at
InterQuest. "They have to try harder to succeed in the industry,
but their qualities and strengths are crucial to various aspects of
IT and their value should not go un-noticed."
"Women are, and for many years have been, successful in roles
such as programme management, business analysis and testing. A
general ability to multi-task means they will often work across
various responsibilities and disciplines," she said.
When it comes to people management, communication and
organisation, Emma Gray believed women are often better-qualified
than men and were
now being selected for senior management roles.
"By alienating women, the IT industry is effectively
wiping out 50% of the potential talent pool," said Gray. "There
are a number of successful women in IT who have fought long and
hard to get where they are today. The industry needs to harness
these role models in order to help companies realise the value
women can bring to an organisation."