NEW YORK - The gender divide in the tech industry is no new problem. For many years, women have faced numerous obstacles and barriers in pursuing careers in technology, ranging from a lack of role models to gender stereotypes and bias, to inadequate support and resources.

The result of this has been a persistent gender gap in the tech industry, with women accounting for less than 25 percent of the workforce in many technology companies and even fewer in senior leadership positions.

However, despite these challenges, women in tech are making great strides and increasingly breaking down barriers and pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Many women are now pursuing careers in technology and making their mark in areas such as software development, data analysis, and cybersecurity. In the 2000s and 2010s, the rise of the internet and the growth of the technology industry created new opportunities for women to start their own businesses, create their own products, and make a real impact in the tech world. 

Now, in the 2020s, the Covid-19 pandemic and the rise of remote work has further turbocharged this trend - especially in Western countries - helping open up new, location-independent opportunities that were previously unavailable, especially for working mothers who must balance childcare with their professional careers.

This is a good start and bodes well for the future, but what more can be done to bridge the gender divide in the tech industry more quickly and empower more women to pursue careers in technology? There are several key steps that can be taken to address this issue and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in tech.

1. Promoting diversity and inclusion

One of the most important steps that can be taken to bridge the gender divide in