Being the only woman in the (server) room

When people ask me what it’s like to be a woman in tech, I usually start with a bit of simple math. I am currently on my fourth technical team, across several different organisations. Out of those four chapters in my career, three of them have shared the exact same demographic: me, and a room full of men.

Women make up less than a third of the IT workforce in New Zealand, and in tech companies women are less likely than men to be in technical roles. The imbalance starts with education pathways — girls and young women are less likely to choose STEM subjects in tertiary education — and is perpetuated by everything from unconscious bias to workplace culture. 

Being ‘the only woman’ in a team isn't just a statistic – it’s a lived experience that shapes how I code, how I speak, and how I take up space. 

My experience differs from that of my male colleagues across the sector in big and small ways: late-night shift work comes with personal safety considerations my male colleagues don’t have; female biology means I’ve at times weathered pain and discomfort in the workplace that has never been an issue for men; and as a parent of young children, I often feel faced with conflicting priorities but notice my male colleagues don't worry in the same way. 

My observation over the years has been that women in core technical roles are running a marathon with a backpack full of stones while their male peers are often sprinting light.

The change we need

There is no silver bullet for equity in tech, especially as there are societal and structural issues such as unequal parenting loads and pay equity that need to be addressed. 

But here are a few things that have helped me navigate a male-dominated industry over the years: 

• Flexible working as the norm: Allowing both men and women to more easily juggle their roles as parents by providing for different work locations, different hours and part-time work means that women don’t have to sacrifice paid work and career progression while also doing the important work of parenting. 

• Mentors and role models: Women leading technical teams is a rarity, but when it happens, it can be meaningful to other women in the team and those considering a career in tech. Especially when just starting out in a career like this, it can show us what’s possible, give opportunities for mentoring, and shape team culture in different ways. 

• Creating safe spaces: It can be hard as the only woman (or the only anything) to speak up about something that’s not working well. Creating trust within teams and workplaces, building safe environments and holding space for women to speak, can make a considerable difference to our experience. 

• Peer networks: Making connections with other women who both get the work and what it is to be a woman in a tech job is invaluable. This is one of the reasons that events and programmes like IAASysters make such a big impact, because it builds a community of women in tech.   

To the next generation

I want to finish by saying to the women driving the next generation of technical innovation: your expertise is not just an asset, it is the blueprint for a more equitable and resilient digital future. As you navigate your career, remember that every technical challenge you solve is a step toward closing the gap and inspiring the next generation of engineers.

Pooja is attending the IAASysters programme ahead of the NZNOG 2026 conference later this month. IAAsysters exists to increase participation, encourage and support all women and gender diverse people working in the Internet industry. .nz is a proud sponsor of the programme. Read more here.