Closing the gender gap: What needs to be done
Companies
around
the
world
are
being
urged
to
close
the
digital
gender
gap,
especially
after
International
Women’s
Day.
Companies
around
the
world
are
being
urged
to
close
the
digital
gender
gap,
especially
after
International
Women’s
Day.
Although
progress
has
been
made,
the
gap
remains
in
many
countries,
prompting
questions
about
whether
those
in
the
industry
are
doing
enough
to
address
it.
The
development
of
new
technologies
has
created
demand
for
specialized
workers
with
specific
training,
but
women
still
face
more
challenges
than
men
in
this
field
due
to
the
persistent
gender
gap.
As
the
world
undergoes
fundamental
transformation,
women’s
role
in
science,
technology,
engineering,
and
mathematics
(STEM),
needs
to
be
reassessed.
According
to
a
PwC
report
titled
Women
in
Work,
Insights
from
Middle
East
and
North
Africa,
the
UAE,
KSA
and
Egypt
already
have
national
programmes
to
boost
the
number
of
working
women.
PwC’s
research
shows
that
66%
of
all
respondents
believe
that
governments
should
intervene
in
private-sector
companies
and
set
targets
for
gender
diversity.
In
the
UAE,
national
policies
include
a
draft
law
to
ensure
men
and
women
receive
equal
pay.
Another
example
is
in
Saudi
Arabia,
as
part
of
Vision
2030,
Saudi
Government’s
goal
is
to
increase
women’s
participation
in
the
workforce.
Hoda
A.
Alkhzaimi,
President
of
Emirates
Digital
Association
for
Women,
says
there
are
many
positive
steps
being
taken.
“Across
various
countries
in
the
region,
there
are
initiatives
aimed
at
breaking
the
toxic
cycles
that
perpetuate
the
gender
gap
in
the
tech
industry.
These
initiatives
include
mentorship
and
active
championing
and
endorsement
programs,
active
networking
events,
scholarships,
and
training
programs
specifically
designed
for
women
in
lead
tech
initiatives.
Some
companies
are
also
implementing
policies
that
promote
work-life
balance
and
flexible
work
arrangements
to
support
women
in
their
careers,”
says
Alkhzaimi.
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