Gender equality in Slovakia: What do the latest statistics say and how to contribute to gender equality in IT?
Gender equality is a sensitive topic, yet it is important to discuss. It does not only mean equal opportunities for women and men but also actively eliminating discrimination stemming from prejudices. However, women are in demand in the IT sector, yet according to the latest statistics, they are still woefully underrepresented. There are multiple reasons for this.
In the article you will learn:
Many women still believe that IT is only for men, while others do not feel welcome or accepted in a male-dominated environment. Additionally, stereotypes still prevail in our society. How can we combat outdated and long-irrelevant perceptions of IT?
What is gender bias and gender equality?
To begin, it is important to define two key terms we will discuss in this article – gender bias and gender equality.
Gender bias refers to a certain prejudice that people hold against one gender. Based on this bias, they may act in ways that lead to unbalanced and unfair treatment of individuals in the workplace, at school, or in other group settings.
Currently, gender disparities are mostly experienced by women, who in the professional sphere may encounter situations such as:
- Being overlooked
- Not having the same opportunities as men
- Receiving lower salary
- Lacking support from superiors or colleagues
- Being perceived as insufficiently competent, and similar issues
Gender bias is closely linked to gender equality, which advocates that all people, regardless of gender, are equal and should have equal opportunities, rights, and fair treatment from others.
However, gender equality does not automatically mean that we are all the same or capable of the same things. It highlights that the two genders are different, and based on these differences, approaches should be adjusted to ensure fairness and prevent favouritism towards one side. Moreover, it is part of human rights – ensuring dignified and fair treatment for all, regardless of gender.
Both of these topics are important in the IT sector and must not be ignored. They significantly influence the development of new technologies, their efficiency, and the direction this field will take. Therefore, it is crucial to discuss them and propose solutions that promote balance and ensure women have the same opportunities as men in the IT world.
Why do we need more women in IT?
There are several reasons why the representation of women in the IT sector should increase. The main ones include:
Reducing gender bias in technologies
Many cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, are improved and trained using vast amounts of data. However, this data may contain biases, leading to technologies becoming prejudiced.
Bias in technologies, especially artificial intelligence, is highly undesirable. If AI is used, for example, in employee recruitment, it may favour men over women based on the data it has been trained on.
One solution to combat this problem is to increase the number of women in IT, who can bring fresh perspectives and more easily identify hidden biases.
Diversity of perspectives
A new and slightly different perspective on a problem, situation, or task was hinted at in the previous point.
Women can bring fresh and innovative ideas, different ways of thinking, and alternative approaches to male-dominated teams, which can help solve even complex challenges. They also notice details that others working on a project for days or weeks might overlook. This can strengthen the team and contribute to achieving better results.
Breaking gender stereotypes
The IT sector has long been considered a space primarily for men. This is also why only a very small percentage of women work in this field today – according to the portal Womentech.net, in the USA, only 3.7 million women work in IT, representing approximately 23%.
However, the truth is that the IT sector is not just for men – quite the opposite. Women can also be developers, testers, or UX/UI designers and excel in these roles. Greater representation of women in IT is therefore not only inspiring but also helps dismantle deep-rooted stereotypes that many still believe.
Creative solutions
Work teams composed of men and women with diverse experiences generate much more creative and high-quality ideas than teams consisting solely of men with the same or similar education, work experience, and perspectives.
Better consideration of all users’ needs
An all-male team will struggle to create an app, website, or other product that meets the needs of all users, regardless of gender. This is why it is important to include a female perspective in the team, ensuring the product reflects women’s needs and achieves success.
How does gender bias arise in technologies?
In IT, it primarily arises due to societal prejudices and the significantly higher representation of men involved in technology development. Prejudices and stereotypes are currently so widespread and ingrained that many people do not even realise when their everyday behaviour unconsciously reinforces them.
Gender inequality manifests differently across various areas of IT:
Data and AI algorithms
For artificial intelligence to improve, it needs existing data. However, this data often contains biases – for example, that women earn less, have fewer opportunities, or are unsuitable candidates for the IT sector.
Artificial intelligence processes and perpetuates this data, which can negatively impact not only women working in IT but also their overall standing in society.
UX/UI design
Men perceive topics, problems, and products differently than women. If they work on a project intended exclusively for women or the general public regardless of gender, the final product may not be sufficiently effective, engaging, or functional.
The best solution is to include women in the team who understand the needs of female users and incorporate them into the design and implementation. Alternatively, the final product can be tested with women, who may notice overlooked biases or weaknesses.
Software solutions and work environment
In some companies, the work environment is still primarily tailored to male teams, and disparities in remuneration are also common. Women in the same positions as men may receive lower salaries, highlighting a systemic imbalance that we may not always recognise. Women may feel uncomfortable in such environments, negatively affecting their motivation, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.
Managers, team leaders, or company owners should strive to consider the needs of both men and women and create working conditions that suit all employees.
How to eliminate gender stereotypes in IT?
There are several ways to eliminate stereotypes in the IT sector. Some of them –such as creating a pleasant working environment for women or integrating women into work teams – have already been discussed in previous sections. Other approaches include:
Highlighting women in IT
Ideally through social media, traditional media, or online articles. This can demonstrate that the IT sphere is not just for men and that women can also succeed in it.
Supporting young girls in education
Providing access to various training sessions, webinars, specialist articles, or courses for girls in primary and secondary schools can kickstart their careers at a young age.
Raising awareness about gender equality
Disseminating information about gender bias and gender equality within and outside the company (via social media, traditional media, articles, or studies) is crucial. Many people are aware of this issue, but few understand its true extent.
Using appropriate language, terminology, and visuals
When communicating and sharing information related to gender bias and equality, it is important to be mindful of how we do so to avoid reinforcing stereotypes. Visuals and the way the IT sector and IT professionals are portrayed are equally important – men are most frequently depicted in advertisements and billboards.
If a company wants to support gender equality in IT, talking about it is not enough – it is essential to have a clearly defined strategy that includes recruitment, training, mentoring, and creating an inclusive work environment. Such a strategy should be based on the real needs of employees, built on data, feedback, and long-term planning. A systematic approach is key to sustainable change.
The benefits of women in IT and solutions to reduce gender bias
Women can bring a great deal to the IT sector. First and foremost, they often have a more sensitive approach to consumers and users. Some problems require a more empathetic and emotional response, which is often a strength of women. This approach introduces new perspectives and ways to steer development in the right direction.
Women are also much quicker at identifying stereotypes and biases in the early stages of a project because they are more frequently exposed to them. This allows such issues to be addressed immediately – before they can influence the final product delivered to the customer.
Additionally, women bring other benefits, such as broadening team perspectives, changing workplace culture in IT, fostering innovation, and improving work outcomes.
What is the current situation in Slovakia?
Gender equality between women and men is one of Slovakia’s critical issues, showing little improvement over the years, despite being an integral part of the fight for human rights. This is confirmed by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), which gave Slovakia 59.9 points out of 100 last year, placing it 22nd in the 2024 Gender Equality Index. Whether this result improves and Slovakia moves forward in 2025 will only be revealed by future statistics.
Globally, progress is slow – evidenced by the regular reports of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, which tracks developments in gender equality and the status of women in society.
Over the past three years, Slovakia has moved up just one place and gained 0.7 points – a very small improvement.
Beyond the overall score, the Gender Equality Index also includes individual areas such as work, money, knowledge, and time. Slovakia’s highest scores were in health (85.5 points), money (74.5 points), and work (72.5 points).
Slovaks‘ view on gender equality at work, in politics, and at home
How do Slovaks themselves perceive gender equality? According to a survey by Go4insight, most believe gender equality is most evident at home – 66% of men and 61% of women agree with this statement. In the workplace, these numbers are lower – 46% of men and 40% of women. Slovaks perceive the lowest level of gender equality in politics – only 31% of men and 24% of women consider it sufficient.
Statistics show that Slovakia has work to do – not just in the IT sector but in other areas of working life. First and foremost, it is important to raise awareness about gender bias, as many people do not even recognise it – according to the Go4insight survey, 13% to 25% of respondents were unable to comment on various aspects of gender equality.
The next step is to propose practical solutions that can be realistically implemented. In the workplace, this could involve measures mentioned earlier – supporting equal opportunities, fostering a pleasant team environment, promoting education for girls and women, and increasing the visibility of women in IT. Equally important, however, is actively working towards balance in filling positions – especially technical and managerial roles, where women are often underrepresented.
How is the situation at msg life Slovakia?
Statistically, at msg life Slovakia, we have seen a thirtyfold increase in the number of female colleagues between 2005 and 2020. In 2005, two women worked with us; by 2020, there were 59, and since the beginning of 2021, five more female colleagues have joined. We are delighted that the representation of women in our company is growing. They are not afraid of the IT sector – on the contrary, they see it as a career opportunity that allows them to fully utilise their skills.
In addition to the growing number of new female colleagues, we have also seen an increase in the number of CVs sent to us by women. In January 2020, 11 women applied to us; in 2021, there were already 44. Both graduates and women seeking a career change are showing interest in working in this sector. We believe these numbers will continue to rise.
Are you interested in working in IT? Do not hesitate and check out our open job positions!
What do our female colleagues say about working at msg life Slovakia?
Women are always welcome in our company. Our female colleagues confidently handle even the most demanding tasks, and each of them contributes to team successes. We asked them what brought them to this job, how they feel working in a team and in a field that many still consider a male-dominated domain.
Miska, Software Testing Consultant, Bratislava
Miška joined us in September last year. She does not believe in coincidences, but by chance, a job offer for a Business Consultant/Tester position literally „popped up“ for her on LinkedIn. „What drew me to IT was my unquenchable curiosity about information technology. I’ve been inclined towards it since childhood and loved computer games. In my free time, I worked with computers and could solve problems on my own,“ she recalls.
In a predominantly male team, Miška says she works excellently: „My colleagues are easygoing and have a great sense of humour.“ And in what way does she think women in IT are better than men? „It’s hard to say: each of us has a unique personality and approach; everyone is one of a kind.“ She believes everyone contributes uniquely to the collective effort. She adds:
Lydia, Software Testing Consultant, Kosice
Lydia has been working at msg life Slovakia for almost 13 years. She was the first woman in our Kosice office. Although she studied finance, she couldn’t find enough suitable job opportunities in her field in her hometown. At that time, the IT sector was beginning to gain momentum in Kosice – and we’re glad that Lydia chose to join us. Better financial compensation was also a motivation for her.
For many years, she was mostly surrounded by male colleagues in the office, but last year our office on Werferova Street welcomed two new female colleagues. “I enjoy working with men – they’re very helpful and friendly, they don’t overcomplicate things, and generally they’re less prone to conflict. But my new female colleagues are just as great, and I’m happy that they’ve enriched our predominantly male team.” Lydia believes that women are thorough and precise, which helps them thrive in IT. “They also tend to have better communication skills,” she adds.
Kristina, Software Testing Consultant, Bratislava
Kristina has been with us for almost two and a half years. After a long period in her previous job, the time came when she needed a change of environment. She worked in sales, and her position was demanding. She felt that the only way to avoid burnout was a complete change of job and field.
She decided to move into IT, even though it was once „Greek to her“ – and to some extent, it still is. „I learn something new every day, but I couldn’t be happier with my decision to jump headfirst into something new and unknown. I’m very satisfied.“
She is the only woman in her team. She admits that she had concerns at the beginning, but they turned out to be completely unfounded. „My colleagues are always willing to help, and their technical skills – not just at work – are a huge advantage. Whenever I have a question, they always advise me.“ Kristina is convinced that it doesn’t matter whether someone is a man or a woman. „In my opinion, anyone can pursue any profession.“
Gabika, Business Consultant, Bratislava
Coincidence also played a role in Gabika’s professional life. She studied international financial management in German and, in her own words, never dreamed of working in IT. „I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do, but I imagined something in the economic field. I wanted to stay connected to the German language. Fresh out of university, I got a good reference for msg life, and since the emphasis was on German and logical thinking, I decided to give it a try. And I haven’t regretted it,“ she says.
Gabika praises her work at msg life, which she attributes in part to the good team atmosphere. „In five years at the company, it’s never happened that we couldn’t agree on a solution acceptable to all parties, or that a colleague didn’t help me when I reached out to them. And there’s always a lot of fun at after-work events,“ she adds.
Gabika sees the main advantage of women in IT in their perceptiveness, empathy, and communication skills, which she believes are beneficial in client interactions and teamwork. „Women approach tasks more conscientiously and solve them more precisely, but I wouldn’t categorise who is better at what based on gender. I think a lot depends more on a person’s character than their sex,“ she concludes.
Adka, Business Consultant/Tester, Bratislava
„The need to try something different, something new. To start from scratch, so to speak.“ This is how Adka describes her beginnings in IT, having previously worked as a financial analyst. Like Gabika, Adka also ended up in IT by chance. „A friend of a friend worked here and mentioned they were looking for people. But this field had been appealing to me for a while. IT always sounded interesting and relaxed, with a hint of the unknown,“ she explains.
Adka also praises the team. „The male colleagues are very kind and chivalrous. The female colleagues are friendly and easygoing,“ our skilled business consultant describes the work atmosphere. And what’s the difference between men and women? In her view, the fairer sex has a greater eye for detail and empathy in the IT world. <
Lucka, Tester/Consultant, Bratislava
„I used to picture myself in a marketing department or in PR. I couldn’t imagine that one day I’d be testing software. Back then, I had no idea how broad the IT field is or how many different areas it encompasses,“ Lucka begins describing her IT career.
She was led to the position of tester/consultant by chance and an interesting job offer. She quickly realised it was the right decision. She sees the main advantage in the gender balance within the team. „We have the opportunity to discuss various topics, and it’s interesting to observe the perspectives of men and women on the same issue,“ she says.
Nevertheless, she doesn’t believe one gender has an edge in IT. „„Each of us has certain abilities, experiences, and ways of thinking, and thanks to that, we can approach problems from different angles. But we always reach the same goal in the end,“ she adds.
Barbora, Software Consultant, Bratislava
Barbora was approached by a recruitment agency while she was still working as an actuary. „An offer came up to switch to the side where software for insurance companies is developed. It intrigued me, and I decided to give it a try.“ Nearly five years have passed since then, and she has no complaints about working in our team. „I’m really enjoying my work. Before, I worked in a predominantly female team, and I wouldn’t change it back. The guys are fun – they’re not all IT guys in flannel shirts with greasy hair, like many people imagine.“ In her view, everyone is different, and when the team is great, it’s a joy to work there.
The satisfaction of our female colleagues confirms that women have a solid place at msg life Slovakia, with doors wide open. We are still looking for new colleagues to join our branches in Bratislava, Zilina, and Kosice. Check out our latest job offers and join us!
FAQ
What does gender equality mean?
It is a fair approach to job opportunities, salaries, career advancement and support for both women and men. It is not about sameness, but about equal chances for both genders without prejudice.
What is gender bias and how does it affect the IT sector?
Gender bias is a hidden or conscious prejudice against one gender. In IT, it can influence recruitment, product development or team collaboration – for example, by underestimating women’s abilities or preferring men.
Why is it important to have more women in IT?
More women bring team diversity, new perspectives, creativity and greater sensitivity to user needs. It helps reduce gender bias in technologies and improves team outcomes. <
How can we reduce gender stereotypes in IT?
For example, by making women in tech more visible, supporting girls in IT education, using inclusive language in communication and creating an environment where everyone feels welcomed and respected.
How does gender inequality manifest in technological products?
If products are designed without considering different perspectives, they may be less user-friendly or inclusive. For example, AI algorithms may process biased data, leading to unfair evaluation of candidates or users.
What is the situation in Slovakia in terms of gender equality in IT?
Slovakia ranks among countries with below-average scores in the EU Gender Equality Index. The IT sector still has a low representation of women, but initiatives such as Girls’ Day or companies like msg life Slovakia are helping to improve the situation.
What are the current gender ratios in the IT sector in Slovakia?
According to statistics, women still form a significant minority in IT in Slovakia. In many companies, female representation is below 25%. The reasons are often societal stereotypes, lack of role models and insufficient support for girls’ education in technical fields. However, the situation is gradually improving thanks to awareness and initiatives supporting women in IT.
Forget old stereotypes and become a woman in IT too
The IT field is constantly evolving and requires not only skilled men but also women who want to move forward, learn new things and achieve one goal after another. So if you are drawn to the world of IT, don’t be afraid to enter it. Inclusive teams today achieve much better results because they are made up of both men and women with different experiences and perspectives on problems.
However, it’s not just about individuals. If you work in a team, don’t be afraid to inform others about gender equality and motivate them to promote it further. Technologies are meant to serve all users equally. That’s why it’s important that diverse people work on them – regardless of gender, age or background.
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