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Why Diversity and Inclusion Matter in Hiring Female Devs

Find out why it's important to hire diverse employees when employing female software developers. Discover the advantages, difficulties, and data in favor of a more diverse tech sector.

Alistair Von Glehn
May 11, 2023
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Introduction

There has been an increase in demand for female software developers in the tech sector in recent years. Companies are working to develop inclusive cultures as they realize how important it is for employees to be diverse and inclusive. The tech sector still has a long way to go in terms of gender diversity, despite recent improvements. The advantages of recruiting female software developers, the difficulties experienced by women in computing, and tactics for fostering diversity and inclusion in the hiring process will all be covered in this blog.

Diversity and inclusion in software development

Software development is a growing and evolving industry that requires diverse skills and perspectives to succeed. There is a big gender gap in the tech industry, but diversity and inclusion are essential to forming successful teams and delivering the best possible products to our customers. 

Why diversity and inclusion matter?

According to her Stack Overflow report for 2020, only 10% of developers worldwide identify as female. The gap is even greater in some countries, as only 6.4% of her developers identify themselves as female in India. A lack of diversity in software development can lead to a lack of creativity and innovation and a homogenous work culture. By hiring more female developers, companies can bring diverse perspectives, ideas, and problem-solving skills to their teams. 

Benefits of hiring more female developers

Increased creativity and innovation

A diverse team brings different skills, experiences, and backgrounds. By hiring more female developers, companies can form more creative and innovative teams to come up with new and unique solutions for their customers. Companies with employees are more profitable because they can better understand and serve a wider range of customers.

Improving work culture

A diverse work culture not only fosters creativity and innovation but can also boost morale and reduce turnover. When employees feel camaraderie and respect, they are more likely to be satisfied with their jobs and more productive. In addition, diverse teams bring a broader range of ideas and perspectives, resulting in a more inclusive and collaborative workplace.  

Challenges in hiring more female developers

Dealing with Unconscious Biases

One of the biggest challenges to hiring more female developers is combating unconscious bias. Unconscious bias refers to the stereotypes and assumptions people make based on their gender, race, or other factors. As a result, even if a woman is qualified for the position, she may be overlooked or undervalued in the recruitment process. Organizations can combat unconscious bias by enforcing blind hiring practices, using various hiring committees, and providing unconscious bias training to hiring managers.

Lack of female role models

Another challenge to hiring more female developers is the lack of female role models in the industry. If a woman doesn't meet other women in the software development field, she may be less likely to pursue that career. Companies can counter this by promoting female developers within their organizations and showcasing their success. Additionally, companies can partner with organizations that support women in tech to provide mentoring and networking opportunities.  

Conclusion

In summary, hiring more female developers can bring different perspectives and skills to your software development team. This increases creativity and innovation and improves work culture. However, there are some challenges to overcome, including unconscious bias and a lack of female role models in the industry. By incorporating diversity and inclusion into software development, organizations can create more successful and influential teams. 

Stats to know 

  • According to the National Center for Women and Information Technology, just 26% of professional computing occupations were held by women in 2020.
  • According to a McKinsey & Company analysis, businesses with gender-diverse teams are 15% more likely to do better than their less-diverse competitors.
  • According to Harvard Business Review research, diverse teams performed 50% better on decision-making tasks than non-diverse teams.
  • 74% of young girls indicate interest in STEM areas, according to a study by Girls Who Code, yet only 18% decide to major in computer science in college.
  • In a survey conducted by Indeed, 53% of women in technology reported encountering workplace discrimination, and 78% said that their gender has influenced their ability to progress professionally.

A National Bureau of Economic Research study found that resumes with traditionally female names are 4% less likely to obtain a callback than those with male names, demonstrating gender bias in the hiring process.

As seen on FOX, Digital journal, NCN, Market Watch, Bezinga and more
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