At Ward Solutions, women have made significant contributions to our organisation since our foundation. We recognise the benefits of having high levels of female participation at all levels in our organisation.
Traditionally there is an underrepresentation of women in STEM careers. Of the 118,000 people working in Stem in Ireland, just 25% are women. This is not just an Irish problem. Less than 7% of tech positions in Europe are filled by women. In the US, for example, only 18% of undergraduate computer science degrees and 26% of computing jobs are held by women, according to Girls Who Code. This is worse at the top of the corporate world where just 5% of leadership positions in the technology industry are held by women.
Ward Solutions is very pleased to buck this trend, as we’re ahead of these figures for female participation in our organisation. Currently, there is a 25% to 27% female participation overall in the company. This breaks down as:
- 25% participation at leadership level
- 50% participation at management level
- 50% participation at sales and marketing function
- 100% participation at admin/finance level
- 10% participation at technology consultant/engineering level
Looking at our own levels of female participation we need to address the underrepresentation at the technology level, while continuing to add and improve at all other levels in the company.
Creating an environment and culture based on merit and equality without stereotyping or discrimination enables Ward Solutions to achieve and maintain high level of female participation. This is not something that happens by accident but is something that is carefully fostered and developed in Ward. It is done by equally recognising success, ambition, contribution, and alternative perspectives and ideas and by being flexible. Having a gender balance is essential in creating a diverse, happy and successful workplace.
We are proud of the level of female participation in Ward and are working to forge a better and a more inclusive, gender equal world.