Tech & finance leaders call for real gender parity

Technology and finance leaders have urged more concrete action on workplace inclusion and ethical innovation ahead of International Women's Day, citing slow progress in gender representation and persistent structural barriers.

Senior executives at cloud hosting provider Leaseweb USA and accounting software vendor Aqilla said male-dominated sectors still lean too heavily on statements of support rather than measurable changes in hiring, pay, and career development.

Their comments echo ongoing concern about gender gaps in technology and financial services. Recent industry studies show women remain under-represented in senior technical and product roles, while pay disparities and retention challenges persist across many markets.

Diversity in practice

Chrissay (Zeeman) Brinkmann, a presales engineer at Leaseweb USA, said real progress on diversity requires sustained effort inside companies, not public messaging.

"International Women's Day is important because none of the progress women have made just happened on its own; people fought for it, repeatedly. I'm glad to be at a company that walks the talk on diversity-not just words on a site, but real opportunities and listening to different perspectives. In tech especially, getting judged on your work instead of who you are is rare, and it makes all the difference."

"More places need to catch up. On International Women's Day, I take a moment to reflect on my mentors, colleagues, and managers who've opened doors or backed me up when it counted. And I check that I'm doing my part to pay it forward-whether that's making an intro, giving a straight-up endorsement, or just telling someone they've got what it takes. Small moves can shift someone's trajectory in this field."

Technology employers face scrutiny from regulators, investors, and staff over recruitment, promotion, and workplace culture. Industry analysts note that informal support, sponsorship, and day-to-day behaviour often determine whether women stay in technical roles long term.

Male-dominated sectors

Charis Thomas, chief product officer at Aqilla, said women entering technology and finance still often work in teams where they are a clear minority.

"I've worked in tech and finance for just over two decades, often in environments where accountants and developers dominate, making it largely male-dominated. Initially, being in the minority can feel intimidating, but focusing on delivering quality work helps create commonality. Like anyone, you eventually find your tribe."

"The gender pay gap persists in many industries, partly due to historical cultural norms and factors such as maternity leave. Not-for-profits such as Women in Tech, Girls Who Code, and Tech She Can do great work encouraging women to enter science and technology fields. Change is happening, driven by the increasing need for diverse roles in tech and finance."

"There's also an essential need to integrate humanities and sociology with science and technology to support the creation of ethical technology frameworks. Organisations should continue to hire from diverse talent pools. We know greater diversity increases revenue, fosters new thinking, and drives innovation. My advice to any woman starting out in tech is to find a mentor, find your voice, and let your skills lead the way."

Thomas's comments align with wider research linking diverse teams to stronger financial performance and product outcomes. Studies from consulting firms and academic institutions also highlight the value of diverse perspectives in risk management and decision-making across finance and software development.

Ethics and frameworks

The call to integrate humanities and sociology with technology reflects a broader debate about ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics. Policymakers in major markets are pressing organisationsto clarifyr governanceond algorithmic bias, transparency, and accountability.

Industry figures say bringing people with varied educational and professional backgrounds into product and engineering decisions can reduce blind spots in design and deployment. Many companies that build finance and accounting platforms are increasingly prioritising the mix of social science and technical expertise.

Mentors and networks

Both leaders highlighted the role of mentors, sponsors, and peer networks in sustaining careers in technology. Support from colleagues and managers can shape promotions, stretch assignments, and visibility on key projects.

Brinkmann added that everyday actions inside organisations can influence whether new entrants stay in the sector and progress into senior roles.