The tech industry is a powerhouse, shaping our world. Yet, despite its potential, women hold less than a third of tech jobs globally, and Sri Lanka, where TIQRIs development centre is based, is no exception. Interestingly, while nearly 50% of undergraduate enrolments in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects at Sri Lankan universities are women, they only hold about a third of tech jobs in the country.

At TIQRI, we believe addressing gender imbalance demands the same strategic focus we put into any critical initiative. Here’s how we are committed to levelling the playing field. 

Tackling gender stereotypes throughout the entire employee lifecycle:

• Inclusive recruitment: We ensure a balanced interview panel by including at least one female panellist when considering female candidates, to mitigate unconscious bias and foster a welcoming environment.
• Upskilling and development: We offer continuous development opportunities for women, regardless of their tech stack. This includes tailored support for women returning to work after breaks for family or other reasons, helping them reintegrate and advance in their careers.
• Structured processes: Clear procedures for development, promotion, and retention ensure fair and transparent career progression for all employees.

As a result of these efforts and more, the women of TIQRI excel in offering services across industries including custom software development for healthcare, fintech, property management tech and more.

We recognize the specific socio-cultural factors impacting women in Sri Lanka’s workforce. In many Asian contexts, women often bear a greater responsibility for managing home and children, which can hinder career progress.

• Hybrid work model: Our flexible work model empowers both genders to share family responsibilities equally.
• Child-friendly office: We normalize bringing children to the office with our dedicated Kids Zone, providing parents peace of mind as they work.
• Mentorship: We connect women in junior positions at TIQRI with mentors in senior roles, creating a sense of ‘if she can do it, so can I’, for confidence and career growth.
• Building the future pipeline: We collaborate with local universities, where our teams share technical knowledge and speak to students on realistic expectations for navigating career and life goals effectively.

Innovation is key for our clients, and a driving force here is diversity. When diverse perspectives come together, the output is more creative. Without this diversity, we risk common thinking and a lack of innovation in problem-solving approaches.

A culture of intentionality

A 2023 study by Samsung revealed that 92% of young women aged 18-25 couldn’t name a prominent woman in tech​​​ (Samsung Newsroom U.K)​. To change that narrative, we are weaving gender inclusivity into everything we do, from hiring practices to flexible ways of working and respecting individuality. We also recognize that every woman’s journey to success is unique, and one size does not fit all.