Women in IT: Slow Change in a “Male-Dominated” Industry

Despite the growing IT talent pool in Poland, the pace of expansion still falls short of satisfying the increasing demand in the job market. One solution to this problem is to boost the presence of women in the industry. Currently, women account for a small percentage of IT professionals, especially in programming roles. According to experts from ITDS Poland, a leading IT outsourcing provider, the representation of women in IT is expected to grow gradually, addressing talent shortages and enriching companies with diversity that enhances team development and organizational culture.

In spite of numerous initiatives supporting women in IT – such as “IT for SHE,” “Her Way to IT,” “Dare IT,” and “Woman Update” – female participation in the sector remains low in Poland and internationally. The 2024 IT Community Survey published by Bulldogjob reveals that women make up just under 16% of the Polish IT sector. Similar trends are observed in other European countries, with Austria, France, and Germany reporting only about 10% female programmers, while the Czech Republic sees a mere 5%. Switzerland stands out with 43% women in IT roles.

“Traditional stereotypes that technical fields are primarily for men may have discouraged women from pursuing careers in these areas,” says Charles-Alexandre Gamba, CEO and co-founder of ITDS Poland. “However, we are noticing positive changes – more women are joining the IT industry. Data clearly shows that this trend will continue. Our experience indicates that diverse teams perform better. A fresh perspective and diversity of character, personality, and experience significantly improve the quality and speed of delivering solutions.”

Career Shifts and New Opportunities

The 2023 “Women in IT” report by No Fluff Jobs reveals that many Polish women enter IT by changing careers, with 42.8% transitioning from other fields. Most begin with self-study (76%).

Women in IT often start in roles such as Tester (15%), Project Manager (10%), and UX/UI Designer (8%). The popularity of testing can be attributed to the role’s need for precision and attention to detail, making it a strong entry point into the sector, offering hands-on experience and opening pathways to more advanced roles like programming.

Career shifts are often driven by the desire for more fulfilling, dynamic, and higher-paying jobs. Additionally, many women see technology as offering better work-life balance and flexible work arrangements.

“In recent years, more women are choosing to pivot into IT, drawn by its wide range of specializations,” says Katarzyna Stachowiak, COO and co-founder of ITDS Poland. “Women are determined to acquire technical skills and build careers in this dynamic sector. We’ve also observed a rise in female students in technical fields, with Polish women standing out among their European peers. This signals significant growth potential for women in IT in Poland.”

Gender Inequality

Despite growing awareness and interest, women in IT still face gender discrimination. According to the 2024 No Fluff Jobs report, over half of female respondents feel it is harder for women to enter the industry. Women are also more likely to have their competencies questioned, while men are perceived to be more confident in negotiating salaries and better working conditions.

Research shows women tend to underestimate their skills, and negotiations over pay or promotions can cause anxiety, leading to avoidance of critical career discussions. This contributes to gender pay gaps, confidence gaps, and glass ceiling effects.

Breaking Stereotypes and Education

According to UNESCO’s 2024 report on women in STEM education, women account for just 35% of global STEM students.

In Poland, the number of women pursuing technical degrees is rising. European Commission data shows that women make up 66% of university graduates in Poland, the highest in the EU, where the average is 57%. Poland also ranks second in female STEM graduates. However, career decisions are influenced by various factors at different stages of life. Low female representation in IT can stem from personal preferences, societal influence, work-life balance concerns, and limited knowledge of career paths or overwhelming choices.

Many women are recognizing that IT offers diverse roles beyond coding. IT encompasses teamwork, creativity, and areas like sales, consulting, data analysis, and leadership. Career success depends on personal preferences and areas of strength.

“The IT sector undeniably needs women. At ITDS, we strongly believe diversity is key to a thriving workplace. Greater female representation benefits organizations as a whole. We actively support initiatives like the Women in Tech Summit,” says Katarzyna Stachowiak. “Breaking stereotypes is important because IT is a fantastic industry for women – I know it from my own experience, and many women at ITDS confirm it. Women not only hold key technical roles here but also dominate our management team. We believe the trend of more women in IT will continue, and we are committed to supporting their growth.”

ITDS is a leading IT outsourcing firm delivering innovative solutions in IT Engineering Outsourcing, building IT teams, product development, and software integration using advanced technologies. Serving top clients in finance, banking, fintech, eCommerce, and healthcare, ITDS has been recognized on the FT1000 Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies list for the fourth consecutive year in 2024. The company employs over 600 IT specialists in Poland, Portugal, and the Netherlands.