International Women's Day 2026

The ‘Give to Gain’ Effect: Accelerating the Future of Women in Tech


‘Give to Gain - what does this stand for?

This year marks 115 years since the world first celebrated International Women's Day. 

This year's global theme is "Give to Gain," which emphasises the value of reciprocity. It implies that when we give women our time, knowledge and importantly advocacy, we gain more than just "help" - we gain a more innovative, equitable and prosperous society.

Today, the mission remains the same: to recognise progress, raise awareness and accelerate change.


Give to Gain - A Collective Call to Action

Give to Gain reframes empowerment as a shared responsibility. It reminds us:

  • When women support women, extraordinary things happen.
  • When organisations invest in women, innovation accelerates.
  • When individuals share knowledge, confidence expands.
  • When communities’ uplift women, everyone rises.

Giving isn't subtraction - it's intentional multiplication. This theme encourages everyone to move from passive observation to active contribution.

Not just "What can I do today?" but rather "How do I show up every day?"


Women in Technology - The Current Landscape


The Global Picture 

According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025:

  • The world has closed 68.8% of the global gender gap.
  • At the current rate however, it will take another 123 years to reach full parity.
  • Technology remains one of the industries with the largest gap: For example, women represent only 22-30% of the global AI workforce and continue to be underrepresented in high-growth STEM roles.


The Local Picture – Jersey 

  • women make up only 21% of the tech sector - significantly lower than the UK (33%).    
  • 80% of the highest‑paid tech roles locally are held by men. 
  • Women represent 50.7% of Jersey’s population, revealing an untapped "talent opportunity."

We have the talent. Perhaps we just need better pathways, visibility and opportunity.


The Business Case: ROI - The Return on Inclusion

The "Gain" in "Give to Gain" is measurable. Recent data from McKinsey & Company (2025) indicates that companies in the top quartile for gender diversity are 39% more likely to outperform on profitability. 

In technology, this diversity is the primary defence against "algorithmic bias," ensuring that the digital tools of tomorrow are built for the 100%, not just the 50%.


Celebrating our Women


My Journey into Technology

Written by Maha Tanveer.



I’m a Senior Software Engineer with over ten years of experience in the technology industry. My journey into tech began with curiosity and a desire to understand how systems work and how innovation can solve real business challenges. Over time, that curiosity grew into a passion for leadership, collaboration, and building solutions that create meaningful impact.

Being recognised as one of the Future Leaders of Jersey was a moment of immense pride. It was not just a personal milestone, but a reflection of the mentors, teams, and opportunities that shaped my journey. I have been fortunate to learn from inspiring leaders who invested in my growth, and that support has made all the difference.

Today, my ambition is to grow as a technology leader by combining technical expertise with business insight and contributing meaningfully to clients and the wider community.


Challenges I Navigated

As a woman in STEM, I have often worked in environments where women were underrepresented. There were moments of self-doubt and times when I questioned whether I truly belonged at the table.

I soon realised that these feelings are not personal weaknesses but shared experiences for many women. One idea that stayed with me is that growth is rarely linear, and resilience matters more than perfection.

Instead of stepping back, I chose to lean in, lead projects, share ideas, and build confidence through action.


Where I Chose to “Give to Gain”

The theme “Give to Gain” resonates deeply with me. I am here because others gave their time, guidance, and belief in me.

In return, I choose to mentor young women entering technology, speak openly about confidence and leadership, and advocate for greater representation in STEM. I believe that when we share knowledge and create space for others, we grow stronger together.

Giving has strengthened my leadership, broadened my perspective, and deepened my impact.


My Impact on BDO, Clients and Community

At BDO, I aim to bring both technical excellence and a collaborative mindset. I focus on delivering innovative solutions while building trusted relationships with clients and colleagues.

Beyond delivery, I hope my presence and voice contribute to a culture where women feel seen, supported, and empowered to lead. Representation matters. When women thrive, businesses thrive.


My Guidance for Women Starting Their Tech Careers

To women starting out in technology, my advice is simple:

  • Sit at the table, even when you feel unsure.
  • Seek mentors and allies.
  • Take opportunities before you feel fully ready.
  • See your career as a journey of growth, not a straight line.
  • Lift others as you climb.

You belong in this space. Push boundaries. Dream big. When we give to one another, we all gain. đź’ś


Energetic Catalyst  


The Art of the Blend: Balancing Masculine and Feminine Energies

‘Androgynous leadership’ embodies the "Give to Gain" philosophy. According to research (Solberg, 2026), leaders who integrate both "feminine" and "masculine" energies create successful environments for innovation.



How this aligns with Women in Tech:

In a field defined by rigid structures, extending feminine qualities such as collaboration and empathy provides the psychological safety required for technical "gains" such as creative problem-solving and risk-taking. By combining these energies, we don't just fill a demand; we change the definition of what a "tech leader" looks like.


BDO Jersey - Embodying Give to Gain

BDO Jersey’s core purpose: Helping People Thrive Every Day – is the practical application of Give to Gain.
We see diversity not as a metric, but as a catalyst for delivering better advice, building stronger communities and driving innovation. 

Our commitment is grounded in actions and measurable outcomes: 

  • DEIA Strategy: We actively work to dismantle barriers to belonging and ensure equitable opportunities for all, embedding diversity, equity, inclusion into our policies and daily practice. 

  • Women in Finance Charter: As a signatory, we are on track to meet our target of 30% female partners by 2030, demonstrating our belief that leadership should reflect the diversity of our talent. 

  • Local Action in Jersey: Flexible working is standard practice for our people, with over 65% of our Jersey team working in hybrid or flexible arrangements in 2025 - enabling balance and supporting retention across diverse roles. We partner with community leaders, including Digital Jersey, to strengthen the island’s digital skills pipeline and inspire future talent.


My Reflections 


Leading with Purpose

"Give to Gain" is a daily practice for me, not just a slogan. Purpose means creating impact that lasts - building capability, confidence, and connection beyond immediate deliverables. Beyond my core responsibilities - I mentor and coach colleagues in the Jersey tech community, sharing my technical “blueprint” and lived experiences to shorten the learning curve for those who follow. Giving our time to elevate others strengthens the professional community and promotes deeper, purpose-driven relationships.

Throughout my career, I’ve seen women adopt more traditionally masculine characteristics to be heard or taken seriously - often unconsciously. In contrast, I have worked with successful women lead with trust and empathy, proving these qualities can be equally powerful. The skill lies in balancing both, recognising that feminine qualities are not “soft skills” but success skills that drive collaboration, engagement, and long-term outcomes. Purpose-led leadership embraces this balance, empowering others to lead authentically.


Acting as a Catalyst for Others

This is not just about gender; we all possess both masculine and feminine characteristics. Neither approach is inherently right or wrong, but there is value in actively challenging the notion that we must conform to a particular way of presenting ourselves to meet systemic or cultural expectations. By embracing authenticity and balance, we create environments in which others feel empowered to do the same.  

By blending the intuitive, collaborative nature of feminine energy with the decisive structure of masculine energy, we can cultivate a culture that values authenticity and celebrates individuality - an essential strength in Jersey’s changing technology landscape where innovation flourishes through diverse perspectives.

Celebration is not the conclusion of this journey - it is the catalyst.


Where We Go from Here - Turning Awareness into Acceleration


For all Individuals:

  • Join networks like Women in Tech Jersey to close the island’s gender gap.

  • Practice Energetic Balance: Consciously lean into empathy or structure depending on the team's needs, regardless of your gender.


For Teams:

  • Build Psychological Safety: Create environments where "not knowing" is seen as a prerequisite for learning.

  • Diversify Communication: Ensure quiet voices are given the floor during technical discussions.


For Organisations:

  • Normalise Flexibility: This remains the #1 enabler for retaining female talent in high-pressure tech roles.

  • Transparency: Increase clarity around pay scales and technical progression pathways.

  • Build partnerships that strengthen local talent pipelines.


"Give to Gain" 90-Day Roadmap

To ensure our advocacy is mindful throughout the year, I challenge you to:

  • In 30 Days: Audit your information bubble. Follow five new female thought leaders in AI, Fintech, or Cyber Security.

  • In 60 Days: Micro sponsorship by practicing "Amplification" If a woman shares a great idea in a meeting, repeat it and credit her by name: "I agree with Maha’s point about..."

  • In 90 Days: Identify a "Reverse Mentor." If you are a senior leader, ask a junior female colleague to teach you about a new tech trend. Give your experience; gain their perspective.


From Celebration to Contribution

International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate but Give to Gain is the instruction manual for the other 364 days of the year. Let’s celebrate loudly, give wholeheartedly and gain a future where women in technology are visible, valued, and leading the way.

Together, we rise.
 



References

World Economic Forum - Global Gender Gap Report 2025 - 2025

Digital Jersey - Closing the Gender Gap in Jersey’s Tech Sector - 2024

International Women's Day - Official Theme: #GiveToGain - 2026

McKinsey & Company - Diversity Matters Even More - 2025

WomenTech Network - Women in Tech Statistics & Insights - 2025

Solberg, A. G. - Androgynous Leadership and Innovation Climate - 2026

BDO Global - BDO Global Sustainability & ESG - 2025

HM Treasury - Women in Finance Charter – Annual Review - 2025

Springer Link - Androgynous Leadership in Management - 2024