70% women in technology say diversity measures are for marketing

Significantly 45 percent of the respondents to the survey believe that the problem stems directly from non-diverse hiring panels. (Illustration by Suneesh Kalarickal)

About 70 percent of women in technology think that the diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) measures undertaken by the IT industry are marketing measures, a survey conducted by Talent500 of ANSR has found.

Around 90 percent of the 3,000 women, all from the information technology (IT) sector, who participated in the survey said organisations were not making any concrete efforts and initiatives to fulfil the demands of gender diversity. It stemmed from deep-rooted biases and challenges that women face right from hiring to retention, inclusion to appreciation and growth.

Around 45 percent of the respondents said the problem was the direct result of non-diverse hiring panels. As many as 60 percent of the respondents, with 5-10 years of experience, agreed and said companies should be held accountable for equitable hiring practices.

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The absence of a mixed panel resulted in discrimination across multiple facets of a working woman’s office life, including payrolls, promotions, and leadership opportunities.

Thirty percent of women experienced inequity in salaries, while another 60 percent felt marginalised during the decision-making process, the survey found. Around 75 percent of the women who aspire for leadership roles said organisations were working on unilateral opinions. Only 20 percent see a representation of women in senior positions, the survey found.

Highlighting the gender rift, 30 percent of participants said their technical abilities were undervalued compared to those of their male peers. Another 42 percent said they needed to work harder to prove themselves.

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