Historically, women have played pivotal roles in shaping the field of computer science and information technology. Trailblazers like Ada Lovelace, the world’s first computer programmer; Radia Perlman, the “Mother of the Internet”; and Grace Hopper, who introduced the term “debug” to programming, laid the foundation for modern computing.
However, by 2023, women made up only 28% of the global STEM workforce, according to a UN Women report. Among these, only 23% pursued IT careers, and half left the field before reaching mid-career.
Women remain underrepresented in the tech industry. Photo courtesy of BUV |
Barriers to women in tech
A 2023 Deloitte study found that 76% of women in technology struggle to balance family responsibilities with work demands. The lack of supportive policies, such as flexible maternity leave and on-site childcare, coupled with the industry’s demanding “always-on” culture, poses significant challenges for women, especially those with young children.
This underrepresentation is a loss for the industry, as women bring qualities such as meticulous attention to detail and creativity, which are vital in a wide range of roles, from quality assurance and product management to cutting-edge fields like data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning. They are equally essential in software engineering, game development, and interactive design, where creativity and precision drive innovation. Beyond these, women’s unique perspectives and skills are invaluable in UX/UI design, systems architecture, and technical leadership, shaping the future of technology across diverse domains.
Advancing women’s participation in tech
Globally, many countries are implementing measures to close the gender gap in technology. A 2023 Forbes report revealed that 72% of Fortune 500 tech companies have adopted flexible working policies for women. Additionally, 65% provide childcare subsidies or on-site childcare facilities.
In Vietnam, similar initiatives are underway. According to the Vietnam IT Recruitment 2023 report, 65% of IT companies prioritize hiring female candidates, 72% offer specialized training programs for women, and 45% aim to increase the proportion of female employees to 40% by 2025. The demand for tech talent in Vietnam is expected to grow by 22% over the next five years, with emerging roles such as user experience strategists, interaction designers, data analysts, product innovation leads, digital experience architects, user research specialists, and data-driven strategy consultants offering promising opportunities for women. These positions go beyond traditional titles, requiring a blend of creativity, analytical thinking, collaboration, and technical expertise.
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Education initiatives like the Tech Queens Scholarship aim to empower women in technology. Photo courtesy of BUV |
Promoting gender equality through education
Education is a key driver in breaking down gender barriers in STEM fields. Vietnam’s National Strategy for Gender Equality (2021–2030) aims for women to make up 40% of STEM enrollment by 2030. In support of this goal, many organizations are introducing scholarships and programs to encourage female participation in technology, especially for students from remote areas.
The Tech Queens Scholarship at British University Vietnam (BUV) is one such initiative. This scholarship supports Vietnamese women pursuing undergraduate programs in Computing & Innovative Technologies. These programs, offered in partnership with global institutions like Staffordshire University and the University of Stirling, include fields such as Cyber Security, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Software Engineering.
Dr. Ali Al-Dulaimi, Head of the School of Computing & Innovative Technologies at BUV, stated, “With the message ‘Elevating Women in Innovation’, the Tech Queens Scholarship is more than financial support—it plays a vital role in building Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem. By nurturing the next generation of female technology leaders, we aim to ensure that women’s voices shape Vietnam’s digital transformation and enhance the country’s global competitiveness.”
The scholarship targets Vietnamese female students aged 18–30 with excellent academic performance, leadership potential, and community involvement. Registration for the BUV Tech Queens Scholarship opens on Jan. 15. For more details, click here.
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