Empowering Women in Tech: Addressing Evolving Mental Health Challenges and Building Supportive Ecosystems in 2024
CXOToday has engaged in an exclusive interview with Shreya Krishnan, Managing Director of AnitaB.org India,
- What are the unique mental health challenges faced by women in tech, and how have they evolved in 2024?
Women in tech face unique mental health challenges, particularly in leadership roles where long hours, immense pressure, and constant scrutiny are prevalent. As they advance in their careers, the demands often require them to sacrifice personal time, mental health, and work-life balance, leading to burnout and exhaustion. Chronic stress, compounded by systemic inequities, increases the risk of serious health issues like heart disease and cancer. Women have to deal with societal conditioning and expectations set by the culture for a woman’s role of a wife, or a mother and its constant comparison to the role of a woman at work.
In 2024, we finally see these challenges evolving as the tech industry is now becoming more aware of the need for better mental health support. Companies look at offering more resources, including mental health services, flexible work schedules, and mentorship. Despite these efforts, systemic barriers remain, and women in leadership roles still lack the support structures that male peers benefit from. The mental health toll persists, but there is a growing focus on intersectional gender equity and well-being.
- How can organizations create a more supportive environment for women in tech to address stress, burnout, and imposter syndrome?
Organizations can promote work-life balance with flexible schedules, remote work options, paid mental health days among others. Organising sensitization trainings and workshops for all employees of the organization irrespective of their gender to understand the specific issues unique to women employees pertaining to their menstrual cycle or unconscious bias can help in building a more supportive and collaborative environment.
Providing access to mental health resources like counselling services and stress management workshops can reduce burnout and stress. Fostering inclusivity and representation through diverse hiring and mentorship programs ensures women, especially women of certain races or castes, feel supported and not outcasted. Creating safe spaces for open dialogue, such as peer support groups, helps address feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome.
Additionally, offering career development opportunities, leadership training, and regular feedback can boost confidence and combat imposter syndrome. Lastly, addressing systemic biases through fair pay, unbiased performance evaluations, and equitable promotion practices ensures a more supportive, inclusive workplace. These strategies help alleviate mental health challenges and create an environment where women in tech can thrive.
- What role do mentorship and peer networks play in improving mental health outcomes for women in the tech industry?
Mentors offer valuable career advice, help navigate challenges, and share experiences, which can reduce feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome. They also serve as role models, demonstrating that success is achievable and helping women build confidence in their abilities.
Peer networks, on the other hand, create safe spaces for women to connect, share experiences, and support each other. These networks foster solidarity, reduce stress by normalizing challenges, and offer practical advice for managing work-life balance and overcoming workplace barriers. Both mentorship and peer networks contribute to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment, improving mental well-being by addressing emotional labor, boosting self-esteem, and offering resources for professional and personal growth.
- How can leaders in tech drive conversations and implement policies around mental health, especially for women balancing work and personal responsibilities?
Leaders in tech can drive conversations and implement policies around mental health by prioritizing open dialogue and fostering an inclusive, supportive culture. By leading by example and openly discussing mental health, leaders can normalize the topic and reduce stigma, encouraging employees to seek help.
Establishing clear policies that promote work-life balance, such as flexible work schedules, mental health days, and access to counselling, is crucial for supporting employees, particularly women balancing work and personal responsibilities. Additionally, promoting inclusive leadership and offering opportunities for women to influence policy decisions can create a more empathetic environment. Creating Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) focused on mental health or women’s issues provides platforms for shared experiences and support. Training managers to recognize signs of burnout and stress ensures proactive support.
Altogether, these actions can reduce burnout, promote well-being, and help women thrive both professionally and personally in the tech industry.
- What are some successful initiatives or programs in 2024 that have tackled mental health challenges for women in tech, and what lessons can be learned?
In 2024, numerous initiatives tackled mental health challenges for women in tech, highlighting the significance of community, inclusivity, and overall wellness. Many programs focused on promoting physical and mental well-being through fitness-driven employee outreach, counseling services, and lifestyle support aimed at alleviating workplace stressors.
Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid or remote options, along with wellness activities like yoga, meditation, and fitness programs, have enhanced work-life balance and overall well-being. Mentorship initiatives and peer networks have created safe spaces for women to share experiences, seek guidance, and develop coping strategies for challenges like imposter syndrome, emphasizing the importance of community and belonging.
Additionally, bias-sensitivity training and transparent communication channels have fostered respect and inclusivity, contributing to healthier workplace environments. Career development programs, such as the Return to Work (RTW) and Apprenticeship Pathway Program (APP), have empowered women and nonbinary individuals by facilitating re-entry into the tech industry and supporting career growth. The Advancing Inclusion Scholarship Program has provided students, faculty, and technologists with access to resources, networking platforms, and events like the Grace Hopper Celebration India a three-day event featuring 7,000+ attendees, 700+ organizations, 300+ speakers, and 150+ sessions—, promoting inclusion and professional advancement. Multi-city roundtables on gender and language have further highlighted the role of inclusive language in shaping attitudes and driving equity.
These initiatives demonstrate that bringing communities together can drive significant change, as collective support fosters resilience and belonging. Networking with like-minded individuals and industry peers has also proven to be a powerful tool, creating opportunities for shared learning, mentorship, and collaboration, which ultimately empower women in tech to overcome challenges and thrive.
