Women building the digital world.

In this article, we highlight the pioneers who made today's technology possible, today's innovators driving change, and practical steps toward creating more equitable workplaces and digital experiences for all.

Imagine a day at the office without women. Not just without their presence but without their impact. In fact, you wouldn't be reading this because the internet wouldn't exist without Hedy Lamarr. Need Wi-Fi? Too bad. Trying to open a program? That's off the table, too — Ada Lovelace and Grace Hopper laid the foundation for computing as we know it. Voice recognition? No Siri, no Alexa, no ChatGPT, no Huddles — none of it without Dr. Janet Emerson Bashen and Dr. Marian Croak. Even a simple Google search wouldn't be possible without search algorithms pioneered by Karen Spärck Jones. And forget about typing up an email — word processing itself was invented by Evelyn Berezin in 1968.

While these pioneers laid the groundwork for today's technology, their legacy continues through contemporary women leaders who are transforming different facets of the digital landscape. These innovators aren't just building on the foundations; they're redefining what's possible.

Revolutionising products and consumer experiences.

In the realm of product innovation, women are solving problems that industries claimed were unsolvable. Katherine Homuth upended the hosiery industry when her brand, Sheertex, developed ultra-durable tights using bulletproof material, proving even legacy industries can be disrupted through material science and direct-to-consumer approaches. Similarly, Tania Boler created an entire market category when she launched Elvie, developing smart health devices that changed the conversation around women's health while building an e-commerce empire. On the platforms that power these experiences, Vanessa Lee, Shopify's VP of Product, has been instrumental in shaping user experiences that empower brands of all sizes to scale seamlessly, enhancing checkout flows and driving personalisation, continuing to be a market leader and pioneer in e-commerce solutions.

Creating platforms that put humans first.

The relationship between technology and human connection is being redefined by innovators like Ana Kirova, who transformed Feeld from a niche dating concept into a global brand by centring UX, privacy, and ethical tech in an industry dominated by algorithm-driven swiping. Her approach complements the revolution started by Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble, whose women-message-first model challenged fundamental assumptions about online dating interfaces and user behaviour. In a different domain but with similar human-centred principles, Chani Nicholas and Sonya Passi have turned astrology into a hyper-personalised digital business with CHANI, building a loyal community through subscriptions, content, and an app-first approach — proof that personalisation creates genuine value that users will pay for.

Education, design, and social impact.

Education and design represent perhaps the most foundational areas for long-term change. Jagriti Agrawal is making computer science and AI education accessible to everyone through Kira Learning, using technology to bridge crucial skills gaps for future generations. In the sustainability space, Tessa Clarke co-founded Olio, a food-sharing app that tackles food waste by connecting neighbours to share rather than discard surplus food. Her innovation demonstrates how technology can address environmental challenges while building community connections — proving that digital solutions can create both social and ecological impact. In the design world, Inês Ayer, a Senior Designer now at Instrument (previously at Pentagram), brings a unique perspective to the field. Her vision of design as a catalyst for societal change echoes in her creation of Aliquoti, addressing neonatal mortality among BIPOC women. This commitment to using design for meaningful change is shared by Jessica Walsh, whose work consistently challenges visual communication norms while advocating for women in design through initiatives like Ladies, Wine & Design.

These innovators illustrate how women are reshaping technology and design across various domains — yet their work also reveals a critical insight: true innovation requires questioning established frameworks. The very products they've created often challenge conventional thinking about who technology serves and how it should function. This brings us to a fundamental consideration about inclusive innovation: examining the frameworks that shape not just our technology but our understanding of gender itself.

Rethinking gender.

In the book Gender Trouble (1990), Judith Butler challenged outdated structures, embracing a broader, more inclusive perspective on gender. As a feminist philosopher and gender studies scholar, Butler defends that gender is not just biological but shaped by culture, norms, and societal expectations.

Understanding Gender.

Berkeley professor Judth Butler explains gender theory.

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This understanding is particularly relevant in technology and design, where products and interfaces often inadvertently reinforce binary thinking. Moreover, when discussing gender equality in tech, we must acknowledge that women's experiences aren't uniform. Intersectionality — a term coined by legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw — recognises that aspects of identity like race, disability, sexuality, and socioeconomic background create overlapping systems of discrimination or advantage. Creating truly inclusive digital spaces means designing for this diversity of experience, ensuring the technology we build works for everyone, not just those whose experiences mirror our own.

The urgency of intersectionality.

Kimberlé Crenshaw, an American civil rights advocate and a scholar of critical race theory, explores intersectionality in this Ted Talk.

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Questioning these assumptions is fundamental in the fight for women's rights and everyone's right to exist freely, beyond limits or labels. Equality, after all, is what feminism is fundamentally about.

Designing a period tracker.

This intersectional understanding directly informed our approach when we designed and built Dia, an app for TFP (The Fertility Partnership). Recognising that not all women menstruate and not everyone who menstruates identifies as a woman, we considered diverse experiences throughout the development process. It wasn't just about creating a period tracker; it was about designing a tool that centres users' real needs, acknowledges the complexities of reproductive health, and provides an experience that's intuitive, supportive, and free from stigma.

It is meant to be used daily; the more data collected, the more accurate Dia’s insights are. As a result, users gain better knowledge about their bodies, cycles, fertility, and calendars, which ultimately empowers them to be more in control. This project exemplifies our approach to creating digital products that serve real human needs with empathy and precision.

Empowering women on their fertility journey.

Dia was our first project to receive a Red Dot Design Award!

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Inclusive workplaces.

Beyond celebrating women, challenging societal norms, and building user-centric products, there are plenty of actions which can make workplaces more inclusive.

Companies should implement transparent hiring practices that prioritise skills and experience, eliminating bias in recruitment. Establishing mentorship programmes can actively support women's career growth and leadership development while advocating for family-friendly policies — such as flexible schedules, parental leave, and childcare support — to ensure a more inclusive environment.

Regular pay audits help address gender pay gaps and ensure equal pay, while fostering an inclusive workplace culture means calling out bias, promoting diversity at leadership levels, and making gender equality an ongoing conversation. At Significa, we believe these practices aren't just good for women — they create better environments for everyone to do their best work.

Moving forward, together.

Technology and design fundamentally shape how we interact with the world. Conscious of its power to either reinforce or challenge existing power structures, the digital products we create don't just solve problems; they reflect our values.

We believe building a more equitable world isn't just about the technology we create; it's about who gets the opportunity to create it. Meaningful change happens through the hiring decisions organisations make, the voices they amplify, and the biases they actively challenge.

Projects like Dia demonstrate what's possible when inclusivity guides product development. This approach creates solutions that serve broader audiences with more meaningful impact.

As a certified B Corporation, we're particularly mindful of how our practices affect our team members. The B Impact Assessment evaluates "Workers" as a critical component, examining how organisations support employees of all backgrounds and identities.

Moreover, true progress requires working not only for communities but also within communities, asking difficult questions rather than assuming we have all the answers. As we continue on this journey, we're committed to creating digital experiences that contribute to a more equitable digital landscape.

Women's Day may be one day on the calendar, but the pursuit of equality belongs in our work every day — as designers, developers, and humans sharing this digital world.

Useful Links

• "Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed for Men" by Caroline Criado Perez is a compelling examination of how data bias affects product design and technology, with profound implications for half the world's population.

• "Design Justice: Community-Led Practices to Build the Worlds We Need" by Sasha Costanza-Chock explores how design can be used to challenge structural inequalities and build more just and inclusive futures.

• "Who's Afraid of Gender?" the most recent book by Judith Butler is a timely examination of the current backlash against gender theory, exploring why discussions about gender provoke such intense reactions. Butler offers a thoughtful response to anti-gender movements while demonstrating why gender remains a vital framework for understanding human experience and working toward equality

• Women Who Code is A non-profit organisation dedicated to inspiring women to excel in technology careers, offering coding resources, events, and community support.

• Stemettes is a UK-based social enterprise working to inspire and support young women into STEM careers through events, mentoring, and resources.