IWD 2025: Beyond the Barriers: Empowering Women Leaders in Tech

The journey towards gender equality in the workplace continues to be a complex one, particularly when it comes to sectors like STEM and technology, and how organisations perceive leadership. Despite fresh campaigns to raise awareness and encourage women to enter more male-dominated roles, a lack of representation still exists, limiting innovation and hindering progress. 

International Women's Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women across the globe. The day marks the contributions of women to society and brings to the fore the importance of striving for a future where women feel valued and empowered, inspiring the next generation to push boundaries and take on roles that might be outside their comfort zones.

The Challenge of Representation

In line with this year's International Women's Day theme, Accelerate Action, there remains a critical need to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM, where they currently comprise just 26% of the UK workforce. This lack of diverse perspectives directly impacts industry innovation, with one of the first hurdles being getting a diverse range of voices into the conversation. 

Fiona Young, Wounds Director at Sky Medical, agrees, stating that, "Smart wearable tech is a huge market and the industry is exciting, therefore we must encourage girls and young women to pursue education and careers in STEM fields. Through mentorship and networking, we can source and retain female talent, allowing them to ensure the UK continues to lead the way in wearable healthcare. How can we build devices and solutions for everyone, if not everyone is involved in their production? 

"With more than 20 years' experience in the healthcare industry, I know that supporting and inspiring women in STEM is paramount. Female participation in the medical device industry has been gradually increasing, however, this diminishes significantly when it comes to C-Suite positions as well as in engineering and other technical roles that are vital to the development of medical devices."

Sarah Bird, Head of Local Services at NBCS, echoes this challenge in retail security, where barriers to entry for women still exist. "Having worked in the retail security sector for over 18 years, a lack of representation, limited pathways tailored to women's needs, and outdated perceptions of the industry contribute to this imbalance.

"Being a woman in the workplace - particularly in a senior management role - often comes with unique challenges. Unlike many of our male colleagues, our experiences are shaped by additional responsibilities, expectations, and, at times, barriers that can restrict our professional growth. For me, motherhood has always been a priority, and while I've been fortunate to have a supportive network, I know that's not the case for everyone." 

Redefining Success and Recognition

Sara Wilkes, CEO at Agilitas, challenges the concept of celebrating women just for breaking barriers."Women shouldn't be celebrated because they're succeeding in a 'male-dominated' industry," she says. "They should be recognised for their innovation, leadership, and expertise. Women in tech are leaders first, and should not be defined by the barriers they've had to overcome.

"It is vital to focus on strengths, not the gendered context they're often placed in. Women need to see other women leading at every level. The more we highlight and support those who have broken through, the more others will be inspired to follow."

Bird agrees. "Flexibility in the workplace is also crucial, allowing women to balance professional ambitions with personal responsibilities. Too often, talented women hesitate to apply for roles or turn down opportunities due to rigid schedules and self-doubt. The weight of juggling so much - both inside and outside of work - while also facing systemic challenges can hold many aspiring women back."

Empowering Action and Creating Change

Change requires more than just talk; it demands concrete action. Elena Bazhenova, a payment specialist at Exactly.com, describes how they take a person-centred approach to recruitment and support transitions across departments to promote gender equality. However, there remains a staggering gender disparity in applicants, with fewer women applying for sales and management roles compared to men.

"While it's essential for businesses to take action within their own teams, raising conversations on this issue is just as important," she says. "Women leaders themselves should take advantage of the opportunities that open up and get involved in industry events to draw attention to gender gaps in the workplace." 

"I urge businesses to advocate for our female workforce by mentoring, offering guidance, and encouraging creativity, individuality and confidence." adds Bird, highlighting the power of initiatives like the Retail Hackathon. "Events like these expose students to women in leadership and the possibilities available."

The Future is Inclusive

Looking ahead, these leaders envision a future where inclusivity is the norm, not the exception. "Change starts with action. Seeing women in boardrooms, leading projects, and shaping the industry can inspire the next generation to step forward with confidence," Bird continues.

"While the retail security sector remains male-dominated, efforts like these create new pathways, further inclusivity, and ensure that opportunities are accessible to all. By continuing to champion diversity, we can build a future where talent and ambition - not gender - define success."

"Providing representation of women in leadership opens the door to a more diverse talent pool and helps build the next generation of women leaders," concludes Bazhenova. "When young women see other women in top positions - whether on boards or in management - it can inspire them to take control of their futures without fear. That's why we focus on visibility to advocate for our female workforce by mentoring, offering guidance, and encouraging creativity, individuality and confidence."

Wilkes agrees. "To truly innovate, we need a diverse range of voices and perspectives at the table. The future of tech depends on it. We can't afford to wait for change to happen slowly. We need policies, mentorship, and a cultural shift that supports women to lead, innovate, and succeed on their own terms."