Why are women leaving the tech industry twice as fast as men?
Women have the skills and ambition to stay in tech, but too many hurdles are forcing them out, writes Vanessa Vallely in today's Notebook
The tech industry in the UK is experiencing a significant gender disparity, with women leaving the sector at twice the rate of men. Despite women making up only 20% of the tech workforce, they are responsible for driving innovation, building products, and leading teams. However, the industry faces numerous obstacles that are driving women out, including a lack of visibility, career progression opportunities, strategic relationships, difficult conversations, workplace politics, and a lack of mentoring, sponsorship, and advocacy.
The consequences of this issue are severe, with the Love Lace report estimating that the tech industry is losing between £2bn and £3.5bn annually due to a broken career framework that disproportionately affects women. The UK risks falling behind globally in technology, particularly in AI, if this trend continues.
To address this problem, Vanessa Vallely, a leading voice in gender equity in business, has written a book called "404 Women Not Found: How women can survive, thrive and shape the future of tech." This book offers practical advice from female tech leaders who have faced similar challenges and know how to overcome them. Vallely emphasizes that women need access to skills, networks, and opportunities to move forward, rather than just empty words about the scale of the problem.
To combat this gender disparity, Women in Tech Week 2026 has been announced, with 100 free events across the UK scheduled for October 12th-16th. This annual event aims to attract, develop, retain, and celebrate women in technology, covering topics such as AI, data, cybersecurity, career development, leadership, confidence, wellbeing, and future skills. Participating organizations include major tech companies, financial institutions, charities, professional networks, and community groups.
Vallely concludes by urging everyone to take action in fighting for gender equality, stating that men and women must work together to turn the tide on this issue. She emphasizes that taking time out to reset and focus on self-care is crucial for maintaining productivity and overall well-being, both in and out of the workplace.
Written by urgent.news from City AM's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
