Looking back at the history of technology, we see numerous talented and renowned women. Even today, women's technical expertise continues to be demonstrated in practice.
In 1987, women made up 42% of developers and programmers in the United States. However, by 2021, this proportion had dropped to just 5%, despite the fact that careers in computing and programming were once considered suitable for women.
In the 1960s, Anne Richardson, a programming engineer at IBM, wrote in a journal about the computer programming profession.
It is worth remembering that the first person to design and develop programming was Ada Lovelace, who conceptualized programming languages even before computers were invented. Grace Hopper later pioneered the first compiler, making machine language more accessible.
The proportion of women in technology has generally declined in European countries in recent years. In Germany, for example, only 7,600 out of 34,600 computer science students in 2018 were female. In contrast, the trend is different in South America, where women now make up 40% of technical fields. According to an IT expert, one reason for the decline of women in technology is the additional effort required to navigate a male-dominated industry, making job security more challenging.
Research by ITgirls indicates that in countries where women face oppression and limited rights—such as India, Iran, and the Kingdom of Oman—more women pursue careers in IT and technical fields. This is because these jobs offer better pay, greater independence, and a level of external exposure.
In Iraq and Kurdistan specifically, data on female participation in IT is incomplete. While a significant number of women study at universities, very few transition into professional careers where they apply and develop their knowledge. This is a common issue in other countries as well. For instance, in Germany, only 38% of female university graduates in technical fields continue working in IT.
Despite this, women hold 20% of IT roles in Germany, 25% in the United States, 26% in Canada, 28% in Australia, and 20% in Romania and Bulgaria.
According to a 2020 McKinsey study, women are more active than men in IT fields.
Research from the Pew Research Center highlights cultural gaps and workplace bias as significant challenges for women. A 2017 survey found that 50% of women experience gender discrimination at work, compared to 19% of men. Additionally, 20% of surveyed women believe their gender hinders their success, and 36% report issues related to inappropriate physical interactions.
In many countries, women in IT are paid significantly less than men for the same job and education level. In Germany, this pay gap is estimated at 22%. Though often overlooked, this remains a serious issue.
Another challenge, particularly in Kurdistan, is the low number of female entrepreneurs in IT. According to the Female Founders Monitor (FFM) 2020, a key reason for the lack of women in leadership is the absence of role models. If more women became leaders and founders, they could inspire others and encourage higher female participation. Currently, only 10% of women take entrepreneurial initiatives, and just 5% reach the CEO level—though the percentage is slightly higher in Germany.
In Kurdistan, women’s rights are often not prioritized, and in some areas, cultural attitudes discourage women from pursuing leadership roles. Many female IT professionals share a common concern: "We are IT engineers, but once we start families and have children, we are expected to step back."
How Can We Increase Women’s Participation in IT?
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Continuous Learning: It is crucial to keep developing your knowledge and skills even after university.
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Early Career Engagement: Do not wait too long to seek employment. Be proactive in exploring your abilities and interests, so you can secure a job in a field where you aim to grow.
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Leadership and Initiative: Many intelligent and courageous women work in IT. Get involved, take initiative, and create opportunities for yourself.
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Community Engagement: Join IT boards, clubs, and institutions. Stay updated on industry trends, especially in areas aligned with your expertise and interests.
resources:
[1] An investigation into the number of female students in universities and colleges - Department of Computer Science heise.de
[2] Computer Weekly Magazine, Germany - May
[3] Study of GirlIT - a website to analyze women's participation in information technology
[4] World Bank research in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) cites political and cultural problems as an excuse for women's lack of participation in technical fields, especially in some areas, including Iraq.
[5] See statistics ( nsf.gov )
[6] See: Women Leaders Boost Corporate Capital ( mckinsey.com )
[7] See: Men Grow at Different Rates in IT ( pewresearch.org )
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