Technology is a woman
The development of technology is conducive to women’s careers, and their growing presence in technology is conducive to the development of the industry and the world. It is no different in telecommunications. In Poland, women make up 25 percent of employees in the entire technology sector, and 13 percent of those creating artificial intelligence algorithms(1). Women are entering the world of modern technologies more and more boldly. And they feel great there!
An example of a company that sees and appreciates women’s potential on a daily basis is T-Mobile. And although the technology industry, and in this case telecommunications, has been associated with the so-called “male world” for years, this has been changing significantly recently. More and more companies are realizing that building diverse teams has a huge impact on the development and success of a business. This entails other changes, such as flexible working hours, paternity leave, or mentoring programs and women’s networking networks, which are supposed to encourage and make it easier for women to pursue their professional ambitions.
In pants and a dress
In keeping with the culture of diversity, T-Mobile initiates and runs various initiatives aimed at showing and reminding young female leaders of their potential, giving them the courage to build a career or showing practical development paths. And it works! In the organization, 30.8% of department managers are women. According to the EU directive “Women on Boards”, by June 2026, women should hold 40% of the highest positions in companies and T-Mobile is therefore well on its way to achieving this.
The company also has a network called Magenta Women Network, which supports women’s initiatives and motivates them to act and develop. The brand also engages and encourages participation in campaigns and events that focus on women and equal opportunities: Vital Voices: Global Mentoring Walk, Technology Is A Woman and Ring The Bell.
Is technology a woman?
As I have been involved in the telecommunications industry for years, I will say it boldly: and not just one! Technologies need women and are open to them. And girls are increasingly eager to reciprocate this interest and are entering this world more boldly, making a huge contribution to its creation, development and progress. Diversity in our industry is just as necessary as in any other sector.. At T-Mobile, we understand this perfectly and we will continue to inspire women and invite them to the amazing world of technology and innovation. – said Małgorzata Rybak-Dowżyk, Director of the Corporate Communications and ESG Department at T-Mobile Polska.
Humanities and technology
Women often do better in humanities. And that’s great news for the technology industry! The sector needs not only female engineers and programmers, but also female philosophers, sociologists, philologists, and psychologists who will bring a different perspective to the world of technology. Why is that important? Let’s look at the dynamically developing field of artificial intelligence. Today, only 13% of AI programmers are women, which suggests that AI is gaining a rather male perspective and may transfer stereotypes from the real to the virtual world. However, it would be advisable for the perspective of 51% of humanity to be included in algorithms that decide the fate of the world.
Being a woman in telco
Of the 3,500 people who made up T-Mobile’s staff in 2023, 1,500 were women. Such a high ratio confirms that the industry is increasingly open to women and attracts them with offers and development opportunities.
– When I started working in data technology, I was entering a clearly male world. I tried to fit in – as a manager – by strengthening traits that are traditionally perceived as male, because I considered them essential for career development – admitted Karolina Henzel from T-Mobile. She emphasized that she is very happy about the change in the role of a leader in business: today, a leader must be equipped with a number of soft skills, including those that have been stereotypically perceived as “female” so far, such as the ability to build relationships, inspire and positively motivate rather than give orders.
– According to my observations, stereotypical divisions between female and male characteristics turned out to be false and artificial. It’s just that a certain type of man has dominated business for years, imposing patterns on others. Meanwhile, there is no shortage of men with excellently developed soft skills, from whom everyone can learn a lot – added Karolina Henzel.
It’s good, but it could be even better
Looking from the perspective of the entire country, despite numerous changes, we still have a lot to improve in terms of equal opportunities for both sexes. We should inspire and support women more, and actually even girls, to boldly pursue their dreams. Show them examples of great specialists who have achieved success in an often very male environment, remind them that every career option is open to them.
Multi-level engagement and joint effort are necessary not only from business, but also from non-governmental organizations and the government. In addition to educational or mentoring support, practical aspects are important, such as increasing the availability of nurseries or training that will help combine professional and family life.
Entrepreneurs should be made aware that building diverse teams has a huge impact on the development of their business. Progress comes from diversity – if everyone thinks similarly and always agrees with each other, it is easy to get stuck in a dead end. The more ideas and different perspectives, the greater the team’s creativity and the chance to find innovative solutions.
(1) https://biznes.gazetaprawna.pl/artykuly/9451159,kobiety-chca-programowac-swiat.html
