- Women Who Code, a non-profit organization supporting women in the tech industry, is being dissolved due to the loss of critical funding.
- Founded in 2011, Women Who Code aimed to make the tech industry more diverse, inclusive, and equitable, with a network of over 360,000 members in 145 countries.
- The organization, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, hosted numerous events, awarded scholarships, and shared job opportunities, but will now cease all program services and events.
- The decision to close was made by the board of directors after careful consideration of funding challenges, despite efforts to continue the mission.
- The tech sector faces a significant gender gap, with slow progress in increasing female representation, partly due to women’s caregiving responsibilities and perception differences between male and female colleagues.
Women Who Code: A Farewell to a Tech Industry Support System
The Rise and Fall of Women Who Code
Women Who Code, a non-profit organization founded in 2011 to support and empower women in the tech industry, has announced its closure due to the loss of “critical” funding. What began as a small community group in San Francisco grew over the years to become a global network with more than 360,000 members across 145 countries. The organization’s mission was to promote diversity, inclusivity, and equity in the tech sector by providing support, knowledge sharing, and mentorship opportunities to women in technology.
The decision to dissolve Women Who Code was made by the board of directors after careful consideration of the financial challenges that the organization was facing. In a statement published on its blog, the group expressed gratitude to its members and supporters, acknowledging the disappointment that the news of its closure would bring. Despite the efforts to continue its programming, the organization found the obstacles insurmountable, leading to the difficult decision to cease operations.
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The Impact of Women Who Code
Since its establishment as a non-profit organization in California in 2013, Women Who Code had a significant impact on the tech industry. The organization relocated its headquarters to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2018 and hosted over 20,000 community-led events, awarded scholarships totaling over $3.5 million, and facilitated developer conferences and technical summits worldwide. Additionally, Women Who Code shared more than 14,000 job opportunities within the tech sector, contributing to the professional growth and advancement of women in technology.
The closure of Women Who Code signifies a loss for the tech industry, as the organization played a crucial role in fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for women in tech. While the entity will no longer be able to offer its program services or host events, its legacy of promoting gender diversity and empowerment in technology will continue to resonate within the industry.
Challenges Faced by Women in Tech
The tech industry continues to grapple with a significant gender gap, with women comprising a small percentage of the workforce. Research from the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, indicates that at the current pace of change, it could take nearly 300 years to achieve gender parity in technology. Factors such as caring responsibilities have been cited as decisive reasons for women leaving the industry, highlighting the need for more support systems like Women Who Code to address these challenges.
Despite efforts to promote gender equality in the workplace, studies reveal that many male colleagues may not fully comprehend the obstacles faced by their female counterparts. Research from recruitment firm Nigel Frank International found that a majority of men believed men and women were treated equally in the tech sector, highlighting the importance of raising awareness and fostering a more inclusive work environment.
The Future of Women in Tech
As Women Who Code bids farewell, the tech industry must continue its efforts to support and empower women in technology. The closure of the organization underscores the ongoing challenges faced by women in tech and the need for sustained initiatives to promote diversity and inclusivity. Moving forward, tech companies, leaders, and supporters must work together to create a more equitable and welcoming environment for women in the industry.
The legacy of Women Who Code serves as a reminder of the importance of supporting women in technology and advocating for gender diversity in the tech sector. While the organization may no longer be operational, its impact on the industry and the lives of women in tech will endure. As we reflect on the journey of Women Who Code, let us continue to strive for a future where all women have the opportunity to thrive and succeed in the tech industry.
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