The Rising Influence of Women in STEM and Technology Leadership

CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Dr. Priyanka Sharma, Director of Software Engineering at Fujitsu Research of India

 

1.What role do women play in driving innovation and shaping the future of technology, particularly in fields traditionally dominated by men?

Gender diversity in the technology-based industry is crucial for fostering innovation and improving financial performance. Studies show that companies with diverse teams are more likely to outperform their peers, with McKinsey & Company reporting that such companies are 20% more likely to exceed financial expectations. Additionally, the National Center for Women & Information Technology found that companies with more women in leadership roles see a 34% higher return on investment. Leading IT firm IBM increased women in technical roles by 57% in the past, leading to tremendous growth.

Women play an essential role in driving technological progress, particularly in male-dominated fields like AI, cybersecurity, and software engineering. Their unique perspectives contribute to creative problem-solving, enhancing innovation. According to Deloitte (2023), companies with diverse leadership teams generate 20% more innovation revenue. Moreover, Forrester (2023) found that diverse R&D teams accelerate innovation cycles by 25%, bringing new products to market faster.

Women are also leading in fields like AI ethics, where they address bias and fairness, and in cybersecurity, where they focus on building resilient infrastructures. In software engineering, women are not only coding but also shaping inclusive applications that cater to diverse user needs. This underscores the significant role of gender diversity in advancing both technological development and business success.

 

2. What are the most significant barriers women still face in STEM, and how can you work to overcome these obstacles?

India’s technology sector is experiencing notable growth in the participation of women, with 43% of women in STEM, the highest globally. However, a significant leadership gap persists. While women’s representation in tech roles is rising, especially within Global Capability Centers (GCCs), only 8% hold C-suite positions. This disparity highlights barriers like bias, inequitable promotion opportunities, and workplace culture challenges. The report from TeamLease Digital shows that while 34% of women are in entry-level positions, their representation sharply decreases in senior roles, with only 11% in leadership after 15-20 years of experience.

To address these barriers, organizations must implement inclusive policies and invest in mentorship programs. Clear career pathways, mentorship, and support networks are essential for women to advance in their careers. Addressing unconscious bias and fostering an equitable work environment will also help retain women in leadership roles. Moreover, it is crucial to offer career acceleration programs to combat the 28% of women in tech who occupy leadership roles, as noted by EY, and the 48% who leave due to lack of growth opportunities and unsupportive workplace cultures (IDC, 2023). By focusing on these areas, India can fully capitalize on the diverse talent that women bring to the tech sector, creating a more inclusive and innovative environment.

 

3. How can educational institutions and corporations better support and encourage young women to pursue careers in STEM fields?

For decades, female representation in IITs remained below 10%, due to factors like societal norms, lack of encouragement, and the competitive nature of the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). The introduction of a 20% supernumerary quota for women has boosted female enrollment in IITs from 8% in 2017 to nearly 20% today, fostering greater diversity in STEM education. Initiatives like the Pragati Scholarship and TechSaksham Programme by AICTE have further enhanced women’s employability in STEM, contributing to India’s leading global female STEM enrolment rate of 43%.

Increasing female participation requires a multifaceted approach, including early exposure, scholarships, and strong role models. Research shows that 68% of young girls would pursue STEM if exposed to female role models (Deloitte, 2023), highlighting the importance of representation. Companies should focus on gender-neutral hiring practices, flexible career paths, and leadership training emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

Additionally, corporates should invest in STEM outreach programs and coding boot camps for young women, providing mentorship and resources to build confidence and skills. McKinsey (2023) finds that firms with structured mentorship programs for women see a 35% higher retention rate, emphasizing the need for dedicated support. By fostering early engagement and creating equal opportunities, we can increase female participation and ensure long-term career growth and satisfaction in STEM fields.

 

4.What role do mentorship and networking play in empowering women in STEM, and how can experienced women help pave the way for the next generation?

Mentorship and networking are critical in empowering women in STEM by providing the support, guidance, and opportunities necessary to thrive in male-dominated fields. Mentorship boosts confidence, accelerates career growth, and aids in navigating leadership transitions. Women who have strong mentors are 2.5 times more likely to reach leadership roles, according to Forrester (2023). This highlights how effective mentorship can play a pivotal role in helping women overcome barriers and advance in their careers.

Networking, especially through women-centric groups, offers visibility, sponsorship, and collaboration opportunities that can open doors and foster a sense of community. These networks help women build valuable professional relationships and provide a platform to share experiences and resources. According to Harvard Business Review (2023), 86% of women in STEM attribute their career success to strong networks and mentorship, underscoring the power of these support systems.

Experienced women in STEM have a crucial role in paving the way for the next generation. By actively mentoring, sponsoring, and advocating for emerging female talent, senior women can provide guidance and ensure that young women receive the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. This ongoing cycle of support helps create a more inclusive and sustainable STEM ecosystem, enabling future generations of women to break barriers and lead in their fields.

 

5.As technology continues to evolve, how do you see women shaping the ethical considerations and societal impact of emerging technologies like AI, robotics, and biotechnology?

Women are increasingly influencing the ethical frameworks and societal impact of emerging technologies by addressing biases and advocating for inclusive design. Studies show that AI systems trained on non-diverse datasets exhibit significant gender and racial biases, with facial recognition technology displaying a 34.7% error rate for women and people of color compared to 0.8% for light-skinned men. This underscores the importance of women’s involvement in data curation and algorithm development. Yet, women represent only 30% of the AI workforce, with even fewer in leadership roles—just 12% in AI-specific research and development positions (UNESCO).

As technology evolves, women play a crucial role in shaping the ethical considerations of fields like AI, robotics, and biotechnology. Their human-centric approach ensures fairness, inclusivity, and social responsibility in tech development. Gender-diverse teams are particularly effective in mitigating biases, with studies showing that such teams reduce bias-related ethical risks by 29% (World Economic Forum, 2023). Moreover, women-led teams prioritize ethical AI governance three times more than male-dominated ones (Forrester, 2023). By advocating for inclusive practices and ethical guidelines, women ensure emerging technologies are developed responsibly, promoting accountability, transparency, and alignment with societal values. As technology continues to advance, women’s leadership is essential for ensuring it positively impacts all aspects of society.

 

6. In your opinion, what is the most exciting or promising development in technology today, and how are women in STEM contributing to it?

One of the most exciting developments in technology today is the intersection of AI, quantum computing, and green tech, which are reshaping industries and driving transformative change. Women in STEM are making significant contributions to these breakthroughs, particularly in AI-driven healthcare, climate tech, and neuroscience. Their leadership is crucial in advancing AI models that improve patient outcomes, develop sustainable solutions, and unlock new frontiers in science.

Women are increasingly taking on key roles, with many serving as chief AI officers, principal researchers, and CTOs, spearheading innovation. According to IDC (2023), 43% of AI and machine learning patents in the past five years have women as co-authors, highlighting their vital role in shaping the future of technology. Furthermore, Deloitte (2024) reports that female-led deep-tech startups receive 15% more venture capital funding, reflecting the value placed on their sustainable and impactful innovation.

Women’s contributions are not just accelerating technological progress but are also ensuring that these advancements are ethical, inclusive, and sustainable, setting the stage for a more equitable future in tech.

 

7. What do you hope to see in the next 10 to 20 years regarding gender diversity and the role of women in shaping the technology landscape?

By 2025 and 2030, projections show a continued rise in women’s participation in the tech industry. Women’s representation in global capability centers is expected to increase from 25% to 35% by 2027 (TeamLease Digital). Companies like HP aim for 50% gender equality in director-level roles by 2030, while Intel plans to double the number of women in senior leadership positions. The World Economic Forum also predicts that 77% of jobs will require digital skills by 2030, highlighting the need for women to shape emerging technologies.

Over the next 10 to 20 years, I hope to see significant progress toward gender parity in STEM leadership, with 50-50 representation. This requires creating structured pipelines for women to advance from education to executive roles. With more women in leadership, we could see a rise in women-led tech unicorns and greater influence on issues like ethical AI and climate tech.

AI-driven hiring processes and bias-free recruitment models will help level the playing field. McKinsey (2023) estimates that gender parity in tech could add $1.6 trillion annually to the global economy. According to Forrester (2024), women in STEM leadership will rise by 35% by 2035, fostering inclusive, ethical technological advancements that benefit society.