Why Women’s Day still matters

When talking about Women’s Day in a company setting, this question often pops up: Is it really necessary to still focus on improving gender diversity? 

Put simply—yes. Many of us may feel we already have equal rights, but let’s see why—despite that—we still really need an International Women’s Day. 

We spoke with a group of brilliant female colleagues from across team.blue to see what they think—and why tech isn’t just for geeks. 

First—gender diversity makes good business sense. You’ve heard it before, but it’s true: research consistently shows that diverse teams perform better, make smarter decisions, and create stronger business outcomes. There are many widely accepted benefits for companies: 

• Better Financial Returns & Reputation – Companies with diverse leadership teams outperform their competitors financially and have a better reputation among talent, consumers, and investors, who prefer businesses that prioritize equality and social responsibility.

  

• Greater Innovation & Problem-Solving – Diverse teams bring different viewpoints and experiences, driving creative and innovative solutions, as well as more effective decisions— up to 87% of the time compared to non-diverse ones. 

  

• Better Employee Engagement & Retention – Employees in inclusive environments feel more motivated and committed, which drives lower turnover rates and reduces hiring costs. 

Second, we’re still behind in gender representation across industries—including digital and tech—so we can’t reap these benefits in full. Women still make up only 19% of ICT specialists in the EU and less than 20% of IT students, 20–30% of founders in Europe, and funding for women entrepreneurs dropped by 12% in the last year. 

These numbers barely change (or worsen) year on year because stereotypes about women in the workplace endure, creating real barriers to career advancement due to discrimination, bias, and a lack of equal opportunities. These persist because of cultural biases, but they don’t reflect reality. 

Here are some of the most common stereotypes and why they are not true: 

1. Women are too emotional – Many people assume that women let their emotions interfere with their decision-making, making them less rational or capable leaders. 

However, studies have shown that women are not more emotional than men and that emotional intelligence (EQ) is a key leadership skill that actually benefits workplace decision-making. 

2. Women are less competent in male-dominated fields – Whether in STEM, finance, or executive leadership, there’s a persistent belief that women are not as skilled, knowledgeable, or capable as men. 

However, women have repeatedly proven themselves in STEM, finance, and leadership roles. Competence is about skills and experience—not gender. 

3. Women are not as committed to their careers – There’s a common assumption that women will eventually prioritize family over work, making them less reliable for promotions or leadership positions. 

But many men also balance work and family, and studies show that when workplaces offer flexibility and support, women remain highly committed. 

At team.blue, we actively challenge these stereotypes and urge women to just go for it when it comes to a career in tech. 

This is why Women’s Day remains as important as ever. A crucial moment to celebrate women, but also to remember why gender diversity is vital for businesses and why we need to act on this all year round, not just today.