March 8, 2024
By Kristen Wynne - Head of People Success, Skyhigh Security
The world of technology moves at lightning speed, shaping our lives in ways we could never have imagined. Even though it’s 2024, women are still underrepresented in technology according to a Deloitte study, making up only one-third of the global workforce in tech-related fields. This is one of the many reasons that fostering women’s careers in technology is so important. Let’s dive into why it matters—to individuals, companies, and society as a whole.
Fostering women’s careers in tech creates better work environments. When everyone is considered and supported, these diverse perspectives lead to multifaceted teams who build more innovative and effective solutions, helping organizations stay ahead in rapidly evolving markets. It’s no surprise that the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “Inspire Inclusion”—this is how we achieve our true potential.
Advancing women in tech isn’t just about being inclusive—it’s an economic powerhouse that’s hard to deny, and has the ability to open doors around the globe. Studies have shown that gender diversity leads to improved revenue generation: companies with diverse executive teams were 39% more likely to have above-average profitability. Evolving opportunities for women in tech is good for our world and our local communities, and companies.
Today, I want to take a moment though and continue to highlight one essential topic; International Women’s Day is a relevant time to confront the stark pay gap in the tech sector, where women earn significantly less than men per year—on average 95 cents to every dollar a man takes home. Research further underscores the intersection of gender and racial inequalities, showing that Hispanic and African American women earn only 91 cents for each dollar paid to their white male peers in the U.S. By fostering women’s careers in tech and championing an inclusive environment for everyone, we can work towards narrowing this gap.
This effort begins with and is fueled by an intentional focus on helping women to thrive. As organizations, we can ensure that we’re offering avenues for enrichment, career planning, training and mentorship, leading to broader advancement for women in line with their male counterparts. Gotara is a wonderful example of an existing program that plays a vital role in providing comprehensive support, networking, and skill-building opportunities to ensure women have the tools and pathways to excel.
Gotara, launched in 2020 by Dr. D Sangeeta, is an initiative that empowers women in the STEM+ industry. Through workshops, peer events, mentorship and more, the program offers a holistic approach to career development. It creates an affirming and positive community where women can connect, share, and learn from others, as well as develop professionally and personally. This network grows their sense of belonging, enriching collaboration among the group and beyond.
At Skyhigh Security, we’re honored to be one of the first employers to offer our employees repeat participation with Gotara, which helps us to play an instrumental role in breaking down gender barriers and shaking up the male-dominated cybersecurity field. This partnership empowers our team around the globe, providing essential tools for skill acquisition, leadership growth, and career advancement. By investing from within, we’re not only aligning with our company’s commitment to staying ahead in the ever-changing security landscape, but also addressing the industry’s talent shortages and fostering a diverse foundation of effective cybersecurity leaders. Encouraging and empowering women to take on technical roles isn’t just valuable for our industry now—it’s game-changing for the generations to come.
As a community, Skyhigh Security honors and appreciates the women who have made a difference, supports those who are redefining standards, and commits to striving for a future where everyone has a chance to shine. It’s time to shatter gender barriers and create a more inclusive, harmonious and equitable world.
This International Women’s Day, we’re here to #InspireInclusion.
Back to Blogs