The Tech Industry’s Best-Kept Secret: Women Still Aren’t Making It to the Top

The Gender Gap in Tech Has a Name—And Now, a Report

On July 15, 2025, a groundbreaking study known as The Lovelace Report was released by WeAreTechWomen in partnership with global consulting giant Oliver Wyman. And it’s holding up a mirror to the tech industry—with reflections some would rather ignore.

Despite decades of progress, mentorship programs, and viral diversity pledges, women in tech are still not rising to leadership at equal rates. They’re entering the industry—but they’re not staying. And when they do stay, they’re not getting promoted.

It’s not a pipeline issue.
It’s a retention, promotion, and culture issue.

The Findings Are Clear—and Alarming

The Lovelace Report reveals:

• Women represent less than 28% of the tech workforce globally

• Only 1 in 5 tech executives is a woman

• Pay gaps widen at every career stage, not just at the top

• Many women report leaving due to “invisible ceilings”, lack of sponsorship, and biased review systems

Worse? These barriers don’t come from lack of ambition or skill—but from cultures that reward sameness and punish difference.

Tech Has a Culture Problem

The Lovelace Report uncovers that performance reviews, project assignments, and promotion decisions are still being influenced by subjective perceptions of leadership—ones often coded as male.

Women in tech are often told to be “more assertive,” only to be labeled “abrasive.” They’re praised for multitasking but overlooked for strategic roles.

In short: they’re over-mentored and under-sponsored.

What This Means for All of Us

Whether you're in tech, hiring for tech, or benefiting from the tools tech builds—this matters. Because when women are missing from leadership, innovation suffers. Products are less inclusive. Cultures become echo chambers. Talent walks out the door.

And the cost isn’t just emotional—it’s economic.

Companies with diverse leadership perform better. But the real win? A future where the next generation of girls doesn’t have to ask if they belong in tech. They’ll know they do.