Communications of the ACM
Why So Few Women Break Through Tech's Bro Culture
The technology sector continues to suffer from chronic underrepresentation of women, despite the efforts of a number of leading companies.
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Despite the technology industry's attempts to achieve gender equality, the sector suffers from chronic underrepresentation of women.
Experts cite several possible reasons for this disparity, including the difficulty of changing a male-dominated culture, harassment, and excluding women from the informal "buddy networks" that work to the advantage of male peers.
It is unlikely the educational sector will correct this imbalance, because although women currently earn about half of all college degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), the ranks of both female computer science and engineering graduates have declined significantly in recent years.
Most tech-company executives say driving diversity initiatives is ultimately their responsibility, and possible remedial actions experts suggest women follow include volunteering for tough projects and taking leadership positions as they are offered.
Meanwhile, groups such as Girls Who Code and the Girl Scouts of America are focused on improving tech industry diversity by encouraging girls to study in STEM fields.
From Bloomberg
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