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With more patents and products, women in tech shine

Women's contribution to research and development at leading companies is increasing significantly, according to many executives interviewed by DH
Last Updated 08 March 2022, 13:58 IST

If you think women don’t belong to the world of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, think again.

While women have traditionally been underrepresented in the STEM [Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics] field, their contribution to research and development at leading companies is increasing significantly, according to many executives interviewed by DH on International Women’s Day.

The proof is in the pudding: The number of women in tech is rising and so are the patents filed by them and their inventions that won a patent.

Volvo Group India said women accounted for 38 per cent of the patents filed in 2021, versus 10 per cent in the year-ago period. German software firm SAP said about 630 patents were filed between FY16 and FY21 where at least one of the co-innovators was from its Indian arm. Uber said women now account for 42.2 per cent of its workforce, out of which 23.2 per cent are engaged in technology.

“Multiple organisations have introduced flexible working policies, anti-harassment policies, women mentorship programmes, and leadership support to establish an equitable workforce culture,” said Punitha Anthony, Senior Director–HR at technology services provider CSS Corp India.

The executives interviewed by DH said they were optimistic about more women joining the workforce, especially due to the recent initiatives at their firms.

That said, there is still room for improvement, especially when it comes to tackling issues ranging from unconscious bias to pay parity.

For instance, an unconscious bias might stop someone from calling a woman by her name in a group conversation while constantly calling out her male peer’s name, pointed out Vanya Seth, head of technology at Thoughtworks, a tech consultancy firm. “This kind of behaviour can make people feel invisible. Yet, most passionate technologists who are women are showing up to work with the same grit every day.”

A survey by Grant Thornton Bharat on Monday revealed that the number of women in chief executive officer and managing director roles in mid-market companies jumped to 55 per cent in 2022 from 7 per cent in 2017 of India, while the global average stands less than half at 24 per cent.

Conducted across 10,000 businesses and 29 economies, it brought to light that inclusion practices have changed drastically in the last five years with more than 90 per cent of respondents agreeing on new working practices benefitting women’s career trajectories.

The highest demand share of women in the workforce is currently held by the ITES/BPO (30 per cent) industry, followed by IT/Computers-Software (24 per cent), and Banking/Accounting/Financial Services (13 per cent), as per data from Monster.com.

While this data reflects the current demand in job postings for women, it is also indicative of emerging industries and related roles that could witness a spike in women’s participation in the months to come.

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(Published 08 March 2022, 08:05 IST)

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