Despite the increasing number of women in the Ukrainian tech sector, the industry still faces challenges that could slow this process. This is what Serhiy Tokarev, a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of investment group Roosh, which develops and scales tech businesses globally, writes in his op-ed for Forbes.
“When we first started Roosh in 2020, women made up 20% of all managers. This was a good figure back then, but in four years it has almost doubled to 38%. This is just one example of how the Ukrainian tech sector is no longer predominantly male,” the businessman says.
According to a DOU study, the number of female employees in the Ukrainian tech sector is constantly growing. In 2020, 20% of the industry’s employees were women, and by 2023, the figure had increased to 24%. There are also more and more women among tech specialists: last year, their percentage reached a record 19%.
However, Tokarev emphasises that today’s trends do not guarantee that the tech sector will become gender-balanced in the near future. He points out a few challenges that prevent women from joining the Ukrainian tech industry:
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The War with Russia: More and more women are leaving Ukraine because of the war. It can be assumed that, over time, these Ukrainian women will opt to work for local companies. Additionally, women are the ones managing households and caring for children, especially as more men are mobilised into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. This increased workload at home can limit the time and resources Ukrainian women have for technological education
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Overcrowded Market: There is a shortage of vacancies for trainees and juniors in the tech sector. In 2022 there were 49 offers for front-end programmers with less than one year of experience on DOU, but by 2024, that number had dropped to 12
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Gender Stereotypes: Prejudices against women in the tech industry still exist, and some teachers may pay more attention and support to male students
“At the same time, research shows that companies with a gender balance are more successful. For example, according to a study by the International Labor Organisation, companies with gender-balanced boards are almost 20% more likely to achieve better business results. At Roosh, we always consider the team composition of a startup we are preparing to invest in because we know that true success lies in collaboration and diversity of experience and views” writes Serhiy Tokarev.
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He identifies four areas where Ukraine should focus on encouraging women to enter the tech sector:
- Encouraging Young People. It is important to introduce Ukrainian girls to technology by educating them about the field, its development, and its impact. Involving practicing professionals in educational activities can also be beneficial
- Mentoring. Girls who aspire to develop careers in the tech sector need support from women who have already achieved success in this field. For example, the STEM is FEM educational project allows participants to find mentors who can provide professional advice, guidance, and motivation
- Development of Soft Skills. The tech market requires more than just coding skills. Effective communication, organisational skills, and critical thinking are also crucial. Practical skills that complement theoretical knowledge are also important. All this should be considered in Ukrainian educational programmes
- Business Participation in Training. Ukrainian tech companies benefit from being involved in the education sector, as it allows them to nurture future employees. Therefore, businesses should launch internship programmes for students and young professionals
Serhiy Tokarev emphasises that gender equality benefits everyone, not just women. Thus, it is essential to work on increasing the number of female experts in the tech sector today.