Women Representation In Tech Roles Within Non-Tech Sectors Sees Rise: Report

India’s contractual women tech workforce in non-tech sectors has witnessed a slow yet steady shift toward greater gender inclusivity, according to a new report by staffing firm TeamLease Digital released on Wednesday.

Women’s Representation Grows In Four Years

TeamLease Digital reported that the share of women in tech roles within non-tech sectors increased significantly, from just 1.90% in 2020 to 11.8% in 2023 and 14% in 2024.

This growth signals a positive transformation in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

“The significant rise in female representation from 1.90% in 2020 to 14% in 2024 reflects a promising shift towards inclusivity,” said Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital. “However, persistent gaps in technical skill representation and leadership roles highlight the need for targeted interventions.”

Overall Workforce Sees Gender Diversity Improve

The overall female participation in India Inc’s contractual tech workforce rose from 9.51% in 2020 to 27.98% in 2024.

The report indicates that companies are increasingly recognising and valuing women’s contributions in innovation-driven roles across non-tech domains.

Despite the gains, female representation remains inconsistent across industries.

The BFSI sector led with 46.88% women in tech roles, followed by life sciences and healthcare at 29.58%.

In contrast, manufacturing and engineering reported only 4.82% female participation, while energy stood at 6.25%.

TeamLease attributed this disparity to rigid hiring norms, cultural biases, and limited skill development opportunities for women in core technical areas.

Women Still Underrepresented In Leadership Roles

The report found that women continue to be underrepresented in leadership roles.

As of 2024, women made up just 3.35% of senior roles, 4.07% of mid-level positions, and 3.03% of entry-level tech roles in non-tech sectors.

However, female representation in mid-level roles increased slightly from 4.98% in 2023 to 5.14% in 2024, while senior roles rose from 3.95% to 4.86% over the same period.

TeamLease based its findings on a proprietary dataset comprising 13,000 associates.

Call For Inclusive Practices And Policy Reform

Neeti Sharma emphasised the need for companies to promote equitable access and eliminate systemic barriers.

“Now, it’s time for organisations to encourage equitable resources for women, address industry-specific barriers, and empower women to represent a larger portion of the workforce,” Sharma said. “By doing so, companies can unlock diverse talent pools, driving innovation and sustainable growth across India’s workforce.”

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