Support groups for women in STEM fields are facing financial hardships as corporate budgets tighten and diversity initiatives falter. Ada Lovelace Day, celebrated globally to honor women in tech, is struggling to stay afloat, with founder Suw Charman-Anderson reporting severe funding shortages.
The day, which began in 2009 to highlight female contributions to STEM, has seen diminishing financial support despite high event attendance. Charman-Anderson laments that while the tech community praises the initiative, tangible financial backing remains elusive.
This funding crisis reflects a broader issue affecting several organizations. Recently, Women Who Code and Girls in Tech closed due to financial strains, and the UK’s Tech Talent Charter shut down citing a decline in corporate commitment to diversity.
This trend is part of a larger debate about the importance of diversity in tech. High-profile figures like Elon Musk criticize diversity efforts, while others, including Apple CEO Tim Cook, emphasize the need for diverse perspectives in technology.
Despite increased female enrollment in computing courses, the tech industry remains male-dominated. Women represent only a small fraction of applicants and leadership roles in tech companies.
Efforts to support women in STEM, such as TecWomenCIC and TeenTech, face ongoing challenges. Leaders in these organizations describe a constant struggle for sustainable funding, often receiving short-term or one-off support instead of long-term commitments.
The sector’s reliance on goodwill and volunteer support underscores the urgent need for reliable financial backing to ensure the survival and success of initiatives aimed at increasing women’s representation in technology.