To increase women representation in the tech industry, companies must take a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of the issue

Sharda Tickoo
Technical Director - India & SAARC Trend Micro
 

“According to a report by 451 Research, women now make up 34% of the IT workforce in India, with the majority of these workers under the age of 30. Indeed, the youth of the Indian IT labour force has significantly powered its rapid growth, and the country is now almost at a 50:50 gender parity rate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) graduates. The next challenge is retaining gender diversity through middle management and leadership roles.

As a result, while India has made progress towards gender diversity in the technology industry, challenges in retaining diversity through middle management and leadership roles continue to be a barrier.

Through various initiatives and programmes, Trend Micro strives to achieve our goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. One of our key strategies is to keep a close eye on available talent in the market and actively engage with potential candidates who may be a good fit for our organisation, even if we do not have a role open at the time.

We place a strong emphasis on developing women’s talent and preparing them for senior leadership positions within our organisation. We are proud to have women in key leadership positions in India, including the Head of Support, the Technical Director, and the Marketing Director.

We offer a variety of upskilling initiatives that empower women to develop new skills and competencies in order to support the growth and development of our female talent.

We also value work-life balance and have implemented flexible work policies that enable our employees to balance their personal and professional lives. This policy has been especially beneficial to our female employees and has supported their growth and development within the organization.

To increase women representation in the tech industry, companies must take a multifaceted approach that addresses the root causes of the issue. Firstly, companies should review and revise their hiring practices to eliminate biases and ensure that they are attracting diverse candidates. Secondly, companies should offer development programs, mentorship, and sponsorship opportunities that support the career growth of women through possible collaborations with schools and universities to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education and careers. Finally, companies should create a culture of inclusion where everyone feels valued and supported, regardless of gender.

Balancing personal and professional lives can be a challenge, particularly for those in leadership roles. At Trend Micro, we encourage a culture of work-life integration that recognizes that the two aspects of life are interconnected. As a leader, I prioritize self-care, time with family, and hobbies outside of work to ensure that I have the energy and focus needed to be successful.

To achieve this, I have carved out a personal space outside of my work, which I quite zealously guard. My workout time at the gym and certain regular activities with my kids on a weekly or monthly basis are absolute no-go areas, even in grave emergencies. If, by some chance, the boundaries have to be violated because of unplanned travel, etc., I make sure that I more than make up for the transgressions.

Additionally, I delegate tasks and responsibilities to my team to ensure that I can focus on strategic priorities and lead effectively.”