The Statistics Behind AthenaCodes: A Closer Look at the Global and Canadian Landscape for 2024

At the moment:

Here, I want to share some important insights about the current landscape of women in the tech industry to clarify why resources like AthenaCodes are needed to foster inclusivity in technology. While we’ve made strides in diversity and inclusion, women remain underrepresented in the field.

As of 2024, women hold 30.9% of new technology-related hires, a slight increase from previous years, but still indicative of a gender gap in the industry​(Exploding Topics). Additionally, women account for 25.1% of software engineering roles in the U.S.​(Exploding Topics). In companies with over 10,000 employees, the representation of women in technology remains limited at 26.7%​(Exploding Topics). These numbers emphasize the ongoing need for initiatives that support gender diversity in tech.

It is with this awareness that I founded AthenaCodes. I believe that creating a platform dedicated to empowering young Canadian women in tech is crucial to addressing this gap. AthenaCodes provides resources, mentorship, and a community to help women navigate and thrive in the tech space. My mission is to bridge the gender gap, cultivate diversity, and inspire a new generation of women to pursue technology careers.

While progress is being made, smaller tech companies tend to have a slightly higher proportion of female employees, with 30% of their workforce being women​(TechJury). However, these companies often face challenges in recruiting and retaining female talent, particularly due to limited resources compared to larger firms. This demonstrates that fostering diversity requires collective action from both large and small businesses.

A positive outlook:

The representation of women in leadership roles is slowly improving. In 2023, 50% or more of board members were women at 27 Canadian companies, nearly double the number from the previous year​(BairesDev). Furthermore, all S&P/TSX 60 companies now have at least two women on their boards, signaling a positive shift toward gender diversity in leadership (TechJury).

Globally, we see more women occupying key leadership positions, especially in North America. In Fortune 500 companies, women CEOs now make up 15%, breaking a new record in 2022​(TechJury). Additionally, research consistently shows that companies with more women in leadership perform better financially, with some reporting a 66% increase in ROI when three or more women are in leadership positions​(TechJury). This progress encourages us to continue pushing for greater inclusivity and success for women in tech.

In Conclusion:

The call to action is clear. We must continue to champion progress and work towards a tech industry where everyone, regardless of gender, can flourish and succeed. AthenaCodes is dedicated to being at the forefront of this change, providing the support and opportunities necessary for women in tech to excel and make their mark.

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Hamidat Bello

Founder, AthenaCodes