Cultural Norms and Gender Expectations

Across different regions, cultural norms significantly shape women's experiences in tech. For example, in many Western countries, there is increasing advocacy for gender equality in STEM fields, but women of color and LGBTQ+ women often still face compounded biases. In contrast, some Middle Eastern and South Asian countries grapple with deeply entrenched patriarchal norms that restrict women's participation altogether, affecting their visibility and progression in tech careers. These cultural expectations intersect with gender to produce varied experiences of inclusion or exclusion.