Did you know that at the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158 (which is roughly five generations from now) to reach full gender parity according to data from the World Economic Forum?
Five generations. How can we do better?
Tomorrow, March 8, is International Women’s Day (IWD) and this year’s theme is #AccelerateAction, emphasizing the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres. And it’s an issue that the Global Technology Industry Association (GTIA) is laser focused on.
Advancing Women in Technology
GTIA members can choose to get involved in our Advancing Women in Technology (AWIT) interest group. AWIT members participate in initiatives, provide thought leadership and work together on the issues, challenges and opportunities for women pursuing technology careers.
For example, during a discussion at ChannelCon 2024, panelists addressed the common misconception that hiring women in technical roles lowers the quality of work. Tiffany Ricks, founder and CEO of HacWare cybersecurity education shared her experience of working with male peers who assumed her involvement would “bring down the deliverable” on team projects, despite evidence of women’s high-quality work in coding, for example. Her comment is backed by at least one study that showed women's coding was accepted at higher rates than men—until their gender was revealed.
Discussions on this topic happen all year round at GTIA.
GTIA members can login to join the AWIT interest group within their regional group, or join the AWIT discussion at the GTIA Communities & Councils Forum (CCF) 2025, March 10-12 in Chicago. The group will address questions such as:
- - Now that we are successfully getting women into the pipeline what challenges are MSPs seeing?
- - What barriers are holding us back?
- - What actionable solutions can we implement now to overcome them?
Attending CCF 2025 is a great introduction to GTIA member groups like AWIT.
What Else Can We Do?
As individuals, we can all take steps in our daily lives to positively impact women's advancement. We can call out stereotypes, challenge discrimination, question bias, celebrate women's success and so much more. Additionally, sharing our knowledge and encouragement with others is key.
Impactful organizations and groups across the world deliver an array of effective strategies, resources and activity that help #AccelerateAction in many areas, including:
- - Forging women's economic empowerment
- - Recruiting, retaining and developing diverse talent
- - Supporting women and girls into leadership, decision-making, business and STEM
- - Designing and building infrastructure meeting the needs of women and girls
- - Helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health
- - Involving women and girls in sustainable agriculture and food security
- - Providing women and girls with access to quality education and training
- - Elevating women and girl's participation and achievement in sport
- - Promoting creative and artistic talent of women and girls
- - Addressing further areas supporting the advancement of women and girls
The key is to take some action, no matter how big or small.
“Actively engaging with women in the industry to encourage their involvement in GTIA community meetings is so important to me,” said Hannah Lloyd, co-founder and CRO, enhanced.io. “I am so proud of the work I continue to do in helping to not only diversify the council, but to strengthen the networks and sense of belonging among women in the IT channel.”
The GTIA Member Perspective
Encouraging and supporting women in the technology industry isn’t a new concept for us. We’ve been talking about this issue for many years, and as progress evolves, so will our support.
Read more about how GTIA members are making a difference and accelerating action:
Breaking Barriers: How We Can All Do Better
Women in tech still face stereotypes. What has changed is our willingness to discuss the issue.
Count Us In: Women in Tech Share their Advice to Achieve Gender Equality, Success
What would you say to women trying to make it in tech?
Women in Tech Groups Are More Than Just a Tick Box Exercise
Companies that focus on supporting diversity yield better results.
Advancing Women in Tech: One Tough Conversation at a Time
How can we change current culture, leverage existing leadership and support each other?
Unlocking the Potential of Women in Tech
How are we doing? What does the future look like? And what more can we do?
Together, let's #AccelerateAction.
Do your part. Find your GTIA regional community and get involved.
