Gender diversity has been the topic of deliberation for a long time now and what’s more important is to look back and see how far we have reached.

 Why we have less representation of women in IT

 The majority of women in IT industry quit their jobs just after 8 yearsof service. According to Catalyst's First Step, India overview tool, nearly 50 percent women leave corporate jobs at junior or mid-level positions in India. The major reasons for this high drop-out rate are gender discrimination, marriage, shifted to another industry, not able to maintain the work-life balance, less remuneration and the ‘glass cliff’ situations.

 The need of the hour

 21^st century women can voice themselves at work or outside, share views, ideas and able to truly define themselves. The preparation needs to be done from ground level and promoting IT as a preferred career choice for women starting from the college level should be the first step to bridge the gender gap thatexists in the IT industry.

 The company’s role here is the most important in term of upliftment of women in the industry. It can easily begin by addressing the basic challenges such as maternity leave, flexible working hours and providing positive work environment.

 With the growing need to take up the women-related issues in the industry, women should be provided with hands on training programs to enhance soft/leadership skillsto make them more effective and enable them to take on higher responsibilities. The broad focus should be on productivity, ideas, business growth and mentoring the promising talent.

 Women Contribution to be respected

Women are considered better when it comes to the ability to walk the talk and making the difference in thinking and action on the floor.  The increasing trend among technology firms to hire the best talent pool and consider women for roles which are earlier considered only for men will boost the women’s representation in IT industry. Celebrating the compelling accomplishments, creating the ecosystem of opportunities and focusing on leadership is the need of the hour.

Contribution of women needs to be respected, their voices have to be heard and at the same time we need talented women role models in tech to break the taboo of IT as a male-dominated industry. If you ask when we should start,then there is no better time than now.