Why are More Women Turning to Coding? The Shift Towards Gender Equality in Software Development

With the rise of the digital age, the field of software engineering has experienced rapid growth, leading to an abundance of job opportunities. With the growth of the women’s involvement in the career markets of the world more women seem to pursue computer science studies, and choose software development career and roles. While the reasons behind this have been widely discussed and debated, we would like to take a different approach. I want to speak directly to women about the exciting and rewarding nature of working in IT. My hope is that this article will inspire more women to consider a career in this amazing field.

GitHub, a renowned platform for open-source software, is home to over 73 million developers collaborating to shape the future of technology. Despite the fact that men make up 80+% of the software development industry, a gender-blind study revealed that code written by women is approved more frequently (78.6%) than code written by men (74.6%). This demonstrates that not only do women excel as coders, but they often surpass their male counterparts, particularly in their attention to details.
If you’re seeking motivation to start a career in tech or looking for inspiration to break into the industry, here are five reasons why women coders are uniquely positioned to thrive in this field.

1. Women are the First Coders – If we look back at the origins of computer programming, women played a pivotal role. At Bletchley Park, 75% of the codebreakers were women, and much of the engineering work at NASA was carried out by women as well. Ada Lovelace, an English mathematician, is even recognized as the world’s first computer programmer. Women coders have a long history of making significant contributions to the field. Although programming is now seen as a male-dominated industry, the gender gap in coding is not set in stone—it can be changed. While it’s not necessarily true that more women are drawn to technology today, there is certainly a growing demand for female coders. With a global shortage of skilled workers in tech, this presents an excellent opportunity to close the gender gap. It’s important to remember that the gender balance in computer programming was much more even 50 years ago than it is today, and there’s no reason we can’t work toward restoring that balance.
   
2. Better Communication and Collaboration – Successful programmers often rely more on their collaboration and communication skills than purely on technical knowledge—something that can easily be gained through various coding courses.
   In the workplace, how you communicate technical ideas and data to both non-technical audiences and other tech professionals is crucial. The ability to adapt language and tone to different audiences is a skill often attributed to women, making them well-suited for a career in coding.
   Coding itself is like a conversation between the developer and the computer’s operating system. Women, known for their strong communication skills and attention to detail, often excel in this area. These traits not only improve their success rates when writing code but also enable female coders to effectively collaborate with the right people, helping unlock solutions and keeping projects on track.
   
3. Thinking Beyond the Conventional – Women are natural problem solvers and excel at thinking creatively. This is especially true in coding, where women tend to be persistent and resourceful, often taking a unique approach to solving challenges thanks to their strong problem-solving abilities.
   We’re only beginning to fully recognize the value of diversity in thought, and how different perspectives are essential in tackling complex problems. The best female coders are skilled at drawing from a range of resources and finding innovative solutions. While men and women may see things differently, these differences should be celebrated. In coding, when women are involved, you won’t hear anyone asking, “What do we do now?”—they’ve already taken the initiative.
   
4. Multi-Tasking and Adapting – Durable skills like adaptability are often scarce within organizations. In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, employees must constantly adjust to new and unexpected situations as technology advances. Women tend to excel in these areas, yet many IT teams miss out on these valuable skills due to the underrepresentation of female coders.
   Women in coding and other tech roles thrive both independently and in dynamic team settings. Their ability to adapt quickly to changing environments, without being thrown off by the fast pace of cultural or technological shifts, makes them indispensable in the programming world. Tech projects can be stressful, and women’s resilience, paired with a tenacious attitude and patience, allows them to handle real-time changes effectively.
   In the workplace, women coders naturally switch into “adaptability mode.” Their resilience not only helps them navigate challenging situations but also supports their colleagues, making them an asset in even the most high-pressure environments. This adaptability is one of the key reasons why women excel in coding.
   
5. Writing Creative Codes – In software development, women are recognized for applying their coding skills in diverse, creative, and inspiring ways—approaches that AI, automation, and robots simply cannot replicate.
   While software development may not initially seem like a creative career, women coders are often drawn to the field because it provides opportunities to explore innovative methods of using code to solve complex problems that demand high-level technical creativity. In the early stages of their careers, the primary focus is often on ensuring the code works. However, as they advance, women in coding naturally begin to innovate, optimizing their code to run more efficiently while ensuring it’s easier for team members to understand and maintain. This combination of creativity and technical expertise makes women coders invaluable in the field.

We must always remember that the future of innovation will be driven by code written in software. By choosing a career as a woman in coding, you’ll be at the forefront of solving key business challenges, using your innate skills in problem-solving, communication, and analytical thinking—all while applying them in creative ways.