IWD 2025: Navigating your career growth: Empowering women in technology
While many businesses have been lauded for acknowledging the importance of gender equality, achieving actual gender equality remains an ongoing challenge.
In February this year, The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announced that the gender pay gap in Australia is now 11.9%. While the difference has tightened significantly from 18.3% in 2014, the trend has decelerated from 2018 until now, suggesting that closing the remaining gap may well prove the biggest challenge yet.
Unfortunately, the gender pay gap is just one of the many challenges women face in the workplace. Deeply rooted social norms, unconscious biases, and the underrepresentation of women in leadership roles continue to create barriers to entry and advancement. In the tech industry, gender disparity remains a pressing issue, with women making up only 29% of the workforce—an alarming statistic in today's world.
While efforts have been made to close the gap, there is significant work still to be done to address gender equality and ensure that women have fair access to opportunities in the workplace. As we celebrate International Women's Day, it is important to take time to reflect on how far we have come and examine how we can continue to improve.
Learning from experience
This year's International Women's Day campaign theme, #AccelerateAction, is a reminder to all organisations that providing equal opportunities is just the first step. We need to focus on the importance of taking swift and measurable actions to address the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.
As the head of Synechron's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion program, I have seen the evolution of women's roles and career progression in the workplace, and one key insight is that no two journeys are the same. We should all focus on carving our own paths; take the time to understand strengths, passions, and goals. Embrace learning, adaptability and growth, as one navigates one's journey. Maintaining a mindset of continuous learning will help you seize new opportunities and stay ahead in this ever-evolving world. Additionally, engaging with leaders who have similar backgrounds or experiences can provide valuable insights and guidance.
Synechron runs programs to champion fairer ways of working. Through The Better ME Program, where ME stands for both MEntors and MEntees, we provide young employees with access to mentorship programs that enable them to learn the ropes from distinguished leaders who match their aspirations and goals. These programs are the best way for young women in tech to connect with leaders and learn from the experiences that are relevant to their goals and needs. At the same time, mentors benefit by gaining fresh perspectives, honing their leadership skills, and contributing to a more inclusive and dynamic workplace.
Levelling the playing field
Organisations play a vital role as supportive change agents, recognising the gaps in the workforce. In nurturing a progressive workplace, organisations need to understand the needs of women and provide ways to increase their visibility in the workplace, a challenge often overlooked due to the imbalance of genders in leadership roles.
Synechron has embedded three fundamental pillars into our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiative, known as 'Synclusive', to foster an environment where women can thrive:
- Lead – Empower female employees by creating opportunities for career advancement, whether they are striving to break through the 'glass ceiling' or overcoming the 'broken rung' that limits progression beyond entry-level management. Provide the support, mentorship, and resources needed to help them grow—not only within Synechron but also in the broader professional landscape.
- Learn – Ensure equitable access to upskilling and reskilling opportunities while fostering an intellectually stimulating environment. Encourage learning, open idea exchange, and provide essential training through hands-on workshops and educational events.
- Return – Seek meaningful ways to give back to your community—locally and globally—by partnering with NGOs, charities, and organisations that champion women's causes. Dedicate resources and time to initiatives that support and strengthen communities. This helps to create a ripple effect in the community.
While progress has been made, true gender equality in the workplace is an ongoing journey. Diversity fuels more diversity. By fostering inclusive leadership, breaking down barriers, and actively championing women, we can build a workplace where success is driven by talent, ambition, and opportunity—not gender. The future of work is equitable, and it starts with the actions we take today.