Elephant in the Room: Gender and Role-Based Disparities in the Software Industry of Bangladesh

Abstract

Despite the notable contribution of Bangladesh to the software landscape, underlying issues persist in human resource management. The current system stratifies software professionals into hierarchical prestige layers based on their roles, ultimately leading to imbalances in gender-based role distribution. This issue is similar to the elephant-in-the-room phenomenon, where disparities exist but are rarely acknowledged, often being overlooked as a topic of discussion. To find the underlying causes of these imbalances, we conducted a localized qualitative study based on in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Based on the industry professionals’ experiences regarding current industrial practices where societal codes and beliefs prevail, our study found several significant factors contributing to these imbalances, including hesitation towards complex technical environments, societal responsibilities, psychological and neurological differences, peer influence and mentoring, socio-economic structures, recruiter biases, and employment opportunities. Improvement recommendations from the software professionals were also synthesized to present significant insights into reformation strategies and address the potential disparities. The findings also provide a foundation for developing more equitable practices and policies in the sector as well as serve as a valuable reference point for future researchers seeking to further explore and resolve these imbalances in the technology sector.