In 2022, throughout the UK only 23% of website designers identified as women, with only 21% of these being in managerial roles1. Whilst these statistics are slowly increasing, there is still much work to be done.
Lack Of Women in Marketing & Tech
There’s a lack of gender diversity in the tech industry, and whilst the number of women studying design continues to grow, this is not visible in the world of work.
There’s a multitude of possible reasons for this, including:
- Women applying for fewer roles – typically, men apply for roles even if they only meet 60% of the vacancy criteria, whilst women apply for roles only if they 100% meet the criteria.
- Blocking language in vacancy – adverts are often tailored to the male audience, therefore subconsciously deterring women from applying.
- Childcare duties – in March 2022, employed women spent more time on unpaid childcare than employed men living with dependent children2, which could influence women to not take on larger career goals than they’d like, for fear of judgment or lack of flexibility.
Our Experience
Alison Chaffey, our website designer, shares her experience.
“Working in the tech industry for 15 years now, I’ve encountered my fair share of mansplaining and the assumption that I’m at a junior level and not, in fact, a company director. I’ve come to realise progress in this field, and business in general, isn’t just about skill – it takes resilience and amplifying female voices. In recent years, navigating both professional challenges and the responsibilities of motherhood has also proven to me that gender inequality isn’t just a workplace issue; it’s a societal one. At Ballyhoo, I’m committed to creating an inclusive atmosphere where talent, regardless of gender, thrives. However, we need a broader societal shift for women to truly find their place in the technology sphere.”
Our marketing & support officer Rebecca Page shares her experience.
“Spending over half your life at work, you want to make sure it’s a place you feel valued. In the past, I’ve unfortunately experienced being talked over, and as a woman that looks younger than male counterparts, I’ve experienced not being taken seriously and even mocked. Thankfully, in the last 3 years working at Ballyhoo, I’ve only ever had positive experiences, and I think a lot of that is due to the people and businesses that we are surrounded with – ones that look past your gender and value you for who you are and the work you do, whilst also taking into consideration the battles that females often have to overcome to reach the same point in their career as male counterparts. Whilst women can continue to voice their experiences to make change, it’s also the responsibility of males in the industry to stand up for women’s rights too, speaking up for those whose voices are not heard in a male dominated space.”
Time For Change
The best way for the industry to adapt and improve is by taking a head on approach, analysing the current position for women in technology.
The place to start is by looking at safe environments – making women feel comfortable to work without prejudice – and working from the bottom up by encouraging younger girls in education to look into technology as potential career paths, something that is stereotypically pushed on male counterparts.
By increasing the number of women in tech, it gives females a voice, which influences the next generation. The rise of social media is assisting with this, there are now numerous Facebook groups, LinkedIn accounts and TikTok personalities giving a safe space for women in tech to be heard and valued.
For any fellow female marketers, or those that wish to get into the industry, we’d highly recommend the Girls in Marketing LinkedIn page, who post great tips and bring the community together.
Ballyhoo
We believe that giving everyone the same chances is a necessity, rather than an option. There is no room for excuses. As a team of five, two of which identify as women, we strive to ensure everyone has the same opportunities, whilst making changes where needed. We believe in equity – understanding the different circumstances that people need individually and allocating resources and opportunities to allow them to be equal. When hiring, we like to look for people who are like us, who we see values and qualities in that we recognise and also hope to increase. We give women room to progress, regardless of home/life situations, with flexibility around childcare – after all, life outside of work doesn’t just stop during the working day.
Outlook
The sector needs to tackle the under-representation of women, as well as those with ethnic minorities and those with disabilities. Hopefully, due to the increase in popularity of marketing roles and web design, there will be positive change for acceptance in the industry, but this can only be done by everyone putting in the work. At Ballyhoo, we continue to educate ourselves on the importance of giving women a space to be seen and valued, and are proud to be a women friendly business.
