How to Get More Women in Open Source

The technology sector struggles with attracting and retaining women, but open-source communities face an even more significant gender disparity. Women make up just 6% of GitHub contributors. Factors contributing to this disparity include unwelcoming language or content, stereotyping, and unsolicited sexual advances. To encourage more women to contribute to open-source projects, it is suggested that strong codes of conduct be implemented, clear contributor license agreements be provided, and more visible female contributions be celebrated. The broader gender disparity in technology starts in school, with only 23% of high school Advanced Placement computer science exams taken by women. Women also face issues such as unequal pay, bro culture, and harassment in the tech industry. To address these challenges, continued investment in encouraging women to lead in technology is needed.