Women may make up a significant proportion of those entering STEM fields, but this presence is not always sustained as they advance to higher levels within the technology sector…

When discussing the gender gap in technology, figures regarding the proportion of women studying or graduating in STEM fields are often the first to be cited. However, that is merely the starting point of a much longer journey.

According to UN Women, women currently account for approximately 35% of STEM graduates and about 31.5% of the global scientific research workforce. In 2022, women made up less than one-quarter of the workforce in science, engineering, and ICT sectors.

LOOK BEYOND THE RATE OF WOMEN ENTERING THE INDUSTRY

However, according to Ms. Huong Tran, founder of Pacific Light Venture Studio - who possesses years of experience investing in technologies across the U.S. and Vietnam - the issue should not be viewed solely through the lens of the percentage of women entering the industry.

“We need to look at the entire career trajectory. If many female students pursue STEM, yet the number of women advancing to roles such as senior engineers, technical team leads, or technology executives drops sharply, then we have only solved the ‘input’ problem - not the challenge of talent retention and development,” Ms. Huong Tran said.

From this perspective, the "technology ladder" comprises more than just the initial rung of education; it is a continuum spanning access to education, industry entry, professional development, research engagement, and management roles, culminating in the authority to make key technological decisions.

An economy may make strides at the entry level yet fail to fully harness its human capital if women do not advance to the higher rungs.

This is particularly significant given that sectors viewed as new growth engines - such as AI, semiconductors, data, cybersecurity, and automation - demand a workforce with high-level technical expertise.

Ms. Huong argues that if women drop out midway through this journey, the resulting gap is not theirs alone; it becomes a void within the technology labor market itself.

Seminar: “Women in Business – Building Leadership Capacity to Drive Growth,” co-organized by Women in Tech Vietnam, EuroCham, Women Tech Entrepreneurs, NordCham, SpanishCham, DBAV, and CanCham (March 2026)

WOMEN ARE MORE AFFECTED BY AI THAN MEN

The advancement of AI is making this issue increasingly significant. According to UN Women, approximately 27.6% of women's jobs globally are estimated to be susceptible to the impact of generative AI, compared to 21.1% for men.

A high level of exposure to AI does not necessarily mean that the jobs in question will disappear. In many instances, AI may transform how work is performed, replacing certain tasks while simultaneously creating new ones.

Therefore, given that women represent a group whose jobs are significantly impacted by AI, they need to be involved not only in using AI tools but also in the processes of creating, deploying, and determining how this technology is utilized.

Ms. Happy Nguyen, CEO of GeoComply Vietnam, observes that the more significant gap lies in the ability to transition from being a "user" to becoming a "creator and decision-maker" regarding technology.

“Businesses need more than just women who know how to use AI. It is crucial that they are present in teams responsible for product development, data analysis, technology research, and decisions regarding market entry. If women remain only at the end of the value chain, their influence on shaping technology will be severely limited,” said Ms. Happy Nguyen.

The lack of adequate female representation in roles where technology is created can impact product quality, innovation capabilities, and market opportunities - making it an issue that extends far beyond gender equality.

EMPOWERING WOMEN TO TRULY SHAPE THE FUTURE OF TECHNOLOGY

According to Ms. Huong Tran, looking solely at the number of women entering STEM fields makes it difficult to identify where the female talent pipeline breaks down.

“A female student might choose to study engineering. But after graduation, does she continue working in the field, or does she switch to a different line of work? If she stays, does she have the opportunity to participate in key technology projects? Does she receive training to become an expert? Is she given management opportunities? And when she reaches a leadership position, is she truly involved in technology-related decisions, or does she merely fill a support role?” Ms. Huong Tran asks. In her view, these represent different stages of the same journey.

Sharing this perspective, Ms. Happy Nguyen argues that support for women in technology should not stop at programs that merely encourage STEM education.

“We need to consider the entire career lifecycle. If we merely help a woman enter the industry without fostering an environment where she can grow into a specialist, manager, or leader, then the initial investment of resources has not been fully transformed into value,” said Ms. Happy Nguyen.

This requires businesses and training institutions to look beyond the immediate challenge of recruitment. Solutions might include specialized training programs, mentorship schemes, opportunities to participate in major technology projects, clear career pathways, and - crucially - access to decision-making roles.

After all, if the ultimate goal is simply to increase the proportion of women in the tech sector, the issue is only partially addressed. A digital economy requires more than just people who know how to use technology; it needs individuals capable of researching, designing, building, commercializing, and making strategic decisions regarding technology.

Currently, several initiatives in Vietnam are focusing on recognizing women who have created value within this ecosystem. According to Ms. Happy Nguyen, the organization Women Tech Entrepreneurs has collaborated with Women in Tech Vietnam to launch the Vietnam Women Tech Award 2026. This program targets female tech business leaders, entrepreneurs, engineers, technology experts, researchers, and STEM students. It spans various stages of a technology career—ranging from leadership and high-impact project management to innovation, technical expertise, and STEM studies.

“The significance of such activities lies not merely in adding another title to the market. More importantly, they help identify women at various stages of the technology career ladder - individuals who can serve as role models and foster networks for the next generation,” said Ms. Huong Tran.

Accordingly, the nomination phase for the Vietnam Women Tech Awards 2026 is scheduled to run until August 31, 2026; the Top 50 list is expected to be announced on September 9, and the awards ceremony is slated for November 6, 2026.

“In the race for AI and the digital economy, a female student entering the STEM field is merely the starting point. True value is created only when she continues her journey - becoming an engineer, expert, researcher, or leader, and ultimately, someone capable of shaping how technology is created for society,” observed Ms. Huong Tran. “Otherwise, any statistics regarding the proportion of women in STEM tell only half the story.”

Full Article in Vietnamese: -> Link