I am a woman in tech, and I’ve seen how the discourse around gender and industry has shifted over time. What surprises me most is how many people—including other women—fail to see the growing presence of women in tech as a positive development. Instead, it’s often framed as an attack on men, rather than a necessary step toward a more inclusive and innovative industry.
The Unseen Battle: Power, Psychopathy, and the Gender Gap in Tech
The fight for gender equality isn’t just about cultural shifts or policy changes—it’s about power. And power, historically, doesn’t yield willingly. Women have to continuously justify their place in the workforce because those at the top benefit from maintaining the status quo. But what if some of those decision-makers—whether in politics or tech—aren’t just resistant to change but fundamentally wired to oppose it?
Studies suggest that high-ranking corporate and political leaders exhibit a higher-than-average prevalence of psychopathic traits, including a lack of empathy, manipulative behavior, and an obsession with control. If these traits are driving the resistance to gender equality, then women aren’t just fighting for inclusion—they’re challenging an entrenched system that sees them as threats rather than equals.
Power Protects Itself—At Any Cost
Tech has long been a male-dominated field, not just by accident but by design. Many leaders thrive in a system that prioritizes dominance over fairness. If psychopathy is a common trait among them, gender inequality isn’t an oversight—it’s a calculated outcome. Women advocating for rights become obstacles, not individuals with valid claims.
The Cycle of Gaslighting and Control
Dismissing gender disparities as “overstated” or “naturally occurring” is a form of systemic gaslighting. If those in charge lack empathy, they won’t see inequality as a problem to fix but as a challenge to their authority. This ensures that every gain in women’s rights is met with resistance, keeping progress slow and exhausting.
Women as a Threat to the Established Order
When women succeed in tech, it disrupts traditional power structures. AI, automation, and flexible work arrangements could empower women more than ever, but those in control may resist these shifts—either through biased algorithms, exclusionary policies, or outright political suppression.
This resistance manifests in many ways: the gender pay gap, underrepresentation in leadership, and the myth that diversity lowers hiring standards. But the reality is clear—tech needs diverse perspectives to drive innovation. The industry’s reluctance to fully embrace this isn’t due to a lack of talent among women; it’s a hesitance to cede control.
A Future Built by Everyone
Women in tech aren’t here to replace men or diminish their achievements. We’re here to build, create, and push the industry forward. The notion that diversity is a threat is not only outdated but fundamentally incorrect. The real challenge is breaking through the barriers upheld by those who benefit from exclusion.
Progress won’t come from convincing those in power to care; it has to come from dismantling the systems that allow them to gatekeep success. The more we push forward, the clearer it becomes—equality in tech isn’t just about fairness; it’s about the future of innovation itself.
