Tech Teams Benefit from Gender Equality: Serhii Tokarev on How to Attract Women Specialists to IT

The tendency of a growing number of women in the tech sector is global, yet each country has its challenges in this way, and so does Ukraine. According to Serhii Tokarev, an IT entrepreneur and co-founder of Roosh, Ukraine has all the chances to reach gender balance in the tech sector but the process is slow due to a number of challenges.

The Ukrainian IT community DOU reports that the number of female employees in the tech sector has been growing in the past few years. When it comes to overall industry employees, the number of women grew from 20 to 24 percent in 2020-2023. Among those employees, female tech specialists represented a record 19 percent in 2023 – higher than ever before.

Serhii Tokarev exemplifies the investment group Roosh which had about 20 percent of female managers in 2020 and has reached 38 percent by 2024. “This is just one example of how the Ukrainian tech sector is no longer predominantly male,” the investor says.

However, according to Serhii Tokarev, this tendency is quite fragile. Several obstacles prevent the country’s tech sector from reaching gender balance in the following years.

First of all, Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine provoked several obstacles that affected both women who had to flee the country and those who stayed in Ukraine. Women specialists who had to move abroad might eventually find a new job in the local market, while women in Ukraine can be drafted into the army or be overloaded with household and care of children alone while men are in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Second, the Ukrainian tech market is currently overcrowded and experiencing a shortage of vacancies, especially when it comes to newbie specialists. For instance, the difference between 2022 and 2024 for front-end developers with less than one year of experience, is 49 and 12 job offers correspondingly.

As the last obstacle, Serhii Tokarev mentions gender stereotypes that still exist in Ukrainian society, especially when it comes to the tech industries. The bias goes as far as primary school where some teachers may support boys more in their tech endeavors than girls. 

Serhii Tokarev emphasizes the importance of diversity and collaboration for achieving success in tech. At Roosh, they assess the team dynamics of potential investments, recognizing that diverse experiences and perspectives are key. Tokarev suggests four main areas to improve gender balance in the tech industry.

First, tech companies should invest in nurturing future talent. Engaging in the education of potential tech professionals can help bridge the gender gap. Tokarev advocates for businesses to establish internship programs that offer practical experience to both students and current professionals, providing them with essential skills and insights.

Second, integrating soft skills development into the curriculum is crucial. The tech industry demands more than technical expertise. Effective communication, organizational skills, critical thinking, and teamwork are essential in the modern workplace. Emphasizing these competencies in education can better prepare women for successful careers in tech.

Third, mentoring and role models are vital for women’s success in tech. Access to mentors and role models can provide valuable guidance and inspiration. Initiatives like Ukraine’s STEM is FEM project connect girls with mentors who offer professional advice and motivation, helping them navigate their tech careers.

Finally, supporting youth from an early age is essential. Introducing young people to the tech industry through educational programs and activities can spark interest and demonstrate the sector’s potential. Early exposure to tech can inspire future generations of female professionals and help dismantle existing stereotypes.