Women remain underrepresented in engineering roles — and health tech is no exception. Yet, diverse teams are important for driving innovation and creating solutions that meet the needs of all patients. So, how do we bring more female engineers into the fold and ensure they thrive?
At Vitamin Software, we believe that building healthcare solutions that push the envelope requires diverse perspectives. It’s a challenge we’re tackling through initiatives designed to attract, support, and retain female talent.
In this blog, we’ll examine the gender gap in health tech, the barriers women face, and how we’re building a more inclusive environment.
The gender gap in tech is still an issue, especially in fields like software engineering. Looking at the percentage of women in tech, we find they hold 26.7% of jobs. Only 25.1% of software engineers in the US are women. Furthermore, according to the 2024 report on gender diversity in technology, female founders receive only 2% of VC funding.
This lack of representation isn’t a coincidence.
Women in tech face systemic challenges, including persistent stereotypes that paint engineering as a ‘male’ profession. They begin early, with girls being less encouraged to pursue a career in STEM than boys and lacking strong female role models.
In the workplace, women are often passed over for promotions or technical projects. There’s also the issue of ‘performance bias,’ where they usually get judged more harshly for mistakes.
Despite women being well-represented in healthcare roles, they’re still few in the technical teams that build software for the industry. They deal with barriers that place them in caregiving or administrative roles rather than leadership or technical positions.
Note: If you’d like to learn more about the state of women in healthcare, check out the updated report by McKinsey & Company for 2023.
Addressing these issues requires more than numbers. It calls for a cultural shift in how we view women in tech roles and greater support for female engineers. Doing so can benefit everybody — including the success of our industry.
What if we told you that diversity isn’t only a social cause? It’s a business imperative.
In a competitive industry like healthcare, those who embrace diversity often enjoy a business advantage. Studies have repeatedly shown that companies with a higher percentage of women in tech teams are more profitable and likely to outperform their peers. They are more adaptable, creative, and able to meet the needs of the global market.
Source: The business case for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) by McKinsey & Company
What’s more, women’s healthcare and the technology that supports it are in desperate need of a revamp. Historically, medicine has focused disproportionately on male patients, causing gaps in understanding conditions that affect women differently, like heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and mental health conditions. This lack of focus has translated into a healthcare system that doesn’t serve women effectively. The technology that’s supposed to support their health follows suit.
Keep in mind: With the rise of femtech — a rapidly growing sector dedicated to creating technology solutions specifically for women’s health — there’s an enormous opportunity for growth and impact. In 2023, the global femtech market surpassed $22 billion. This number will only grow in the coming years.
There are clear strategies to create more supportive work environments for women. Thinking in these terms is the best way to empower more female engineers and reap the benefits of diversity.
One of the first steps is an inclusive workplace culture. Such practices range from gender-blind hiring processes to better treatment.
In 2018, the PEW Research Center published a report stating that women in tech face more gender disparities at work. These disparities include unequal pay, discrimination, and stereotyping. Your company should prevent such behaviors to create a safer space for every employee.
To go further, you could consider membership and sponsorship for female engineers.
Pairing women with experienced mentors — those who have faced similar challenges — can provide invaluable guidance. Mentors help employees identify career pathways, develop skills, and break through barriers in male-dominated spaces. Sponsorship programs pair employees with folks who actively advocate for their advancement. Sponsors can push for promotions and leadership positions women would otherwise be overlooked for.
Beyond mentorship, companies must provide concrete opportunities for women in technology to advance their careers.
Here are some resources that could educate and inspire leaders of healthcare companies seeking to encourage more women in technology:
At Vitamin Software, we’re committed to a more inclusive workplace, especially regarding gender representation within our engineering team. We recognize that we don’t yet have gender parity, and we know that a balanced workforce is vital — both for the health of our company and the quality of our solutions.
To bridge this gap, we’ve implemented several initiatives to attract, support, and retain female engineers.
Source: Women in Tech Statistics
One of our core initiatives is a flexible work policy that helps all employees, especially working parents. A hybrid environment lets our team members balance their personal and professional lives, which is vital for women, who are often tasked with household work more than men.
We also offer possibilities for continuous learning and professional development. Through education programs, leadership training, and project-based learning, we equip our female engineers with the skills they need to advance their careers. Additionally, our buddy system for new hires ensures every engineer has someone to turn to for guidance as they settle into their role.
If we want to see more women in healthcare technology, we must build an environment where they feel welcome, valued, and empowered to grow. A supportive workplace culture is essential for retaining female talent.
Why not become a part of the solution? With more women in tech, we get unique perspectives, creative problem-solving, and better, more inclusive healthcare solutions.
Learn more about Vitamin Software’s mission, vision, and values here. And if you’re interested in becoming one of our female engineers, the latest job postings are here.