Gender roles ‘set back by pandemic’, claims study

 

 

More than a quarter of those working in tech believe women’s roles have regressed 10-20 years (34%) as they shoulder a triple burden of home-schooling, work and an increase in household tasks. This is according to fresh data obtained by accelerateHER, an organisation that seeks to address the under-representation of women in tech. 

 

Women in the technology sector reported that their career paths have been negatively affected by the pandemic with 54% of respondents claiming COVID has made it more difficult for them to break into the industry. This compares to 32% who believed COVID has made it harder for men to break into the sector.

 

Launching a new business is now more challenging than ever too, with over half (53%) stating the current climate has made it more difficult to launch a start-up. A further 49% say COVID has made it harder to secure funding for start-ups. 

A survey of those in the UK Tech Sector found the COVID pandemic has widened inequalities between working men and women 
Over half of respondents (57%) feel the pandemic has set gender roles back with a third believing they’ve regressed 10-20 years (34%)
Women are shouldering the burden of home-schooling as well as working believe 75% of respondents
Household tasks are dominating the working day with 76% complaining they’ve increased since COVID began

Says Laura Stebbing, co-CEO of accelerateHER:

 “IWD is a moment in the year to highlight the state of the world for women. This year, it’s never felt more important, as COVID-19 threatens to reverse the important gains that have been made for women’s equality. For too long it’s been down to women to change the system, but men are more likely to be in positions of power to drive change. Men can do this by sponsoring a junior woman, bringing her to key meetings, advocating, providing opportunities to do things that will help her get ahead.”

 

The survey of those in the UK tech sector identified that those who remain employed believe the current employment situation has stunted career options. Over half (51%) stated it is now more challenging than ever to secure a promotion. Similarly, 50% say it’s made it more difficult to achieve a senior leadership position or get onto the board.

 

Indicating a widening chasm of gender inequality, 48% of those surveyed said the pandemic has not made any difference to men’s career prospects and 51% believe it has made no difference to men’s ability to achieve a senior leadership position. 

 

Prior to the pandemic, 59% of those surveyed felt gender roles were progressing towards parity.

(Data obtained from a survey of 177 women in technology industry leaders, surveyed in March 2021 for accelerateHER.)