Block W was founded in 2018 as a female-led network to close the gender gap in tech and digital. In 2023 Block W was established as a not-for-profit organisation and became a registered charity in June 2025. (RCN: 20206842)

Ireland’s competitiveness in the digital economy depends on mobilising all available talent, ensuring that every individual, regardless of gender, can access, participate in, and shape the digital future. BlockW advances this agenda by increasing the participation of women in digital through evidence-based advocacy, research that informs policy and practice, and the visibility of female role models. Working in partnership with government, industry, education and civil society, BlockW highlights untapped potential and works to secure Ireland’s global competitiveness.

The work of BlockW is organised under three strategic pillars.

Partnerships & Advocacy: Ireland’s competitiveness in the digital economy depends on mobilising all available talent. BlockW drives this agenda through evidence-based advocacy and partnerships that connect government, business, academia, and civil society to highlight untapped skills. By ensuring inclusive innovation, we work to strengthen resilience, fuel growth, and secure Ireland’s global competitiveness

Showcasing female role models: Through a series of networking and panel events BlockW showcases women leaders in the digital economy highlighting leadership, innovation, and diverse career pathways.

Research: BlockW undertakes research to generate evidence based insights to inform decision-making, policy development, and funding priorities across the digital and technology sectors. Through a Joint Research Programme with the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) – Women in Tech: The Digital Gap, BlockW is investing in a multi-phase study (2025–2027) that examines the gender gap in digital skills usage, the gender gap in employment outcomes in ICT intensive occupations and will identify the key skills requirements critical for emerging ICT-intensive roles. The findings will provide an evidence base for interventions at organisational, sectoral, national and European levels. BlockW also contributes to research with the (INABTA (International Network of Advisory Boards on Technology and Artificial Intelligence), Education Working Group focusing on future skills and the application of blockchain in education. This enables BlockW to bring both Irish and European perspectives to the evolving policy agenda on digital skills, gender equity, and inclusive innovation.
Research Underway: Women in Tech: The Digital Gap is a 2025/2026 Joint Research Programme between BlockW and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), funded by BlockW.

Phase 1: Gender Gaps in Digital Skills in Europe. This research will offer a detailed understanding of the gender gap in digital usage and skills at work across Europe and within Ireland.

· Examine the role of digital tasks undertaken by employees and analyse gendered differences in the use of digital tools and technologies in the workplace.

· Use The European skills and jobs survey (ESJS2) data on digital competency levels and task usage to investigate and measure the extent of gender gaps in digital skills in Ireland.

· Perform a comparative assessment with other EU member states.

Phase 2: Gender Differences in Employment Outcomes in ICT-intensive Occupations. Phase 2 will examine employment outcomes related to ICT-intensive occupations by gender in Europe and contextualise Ireland’s results within this.

Phase 3: Bridging the Digital Divide: In-Demand Skills for ICT-intensive Occupations in Ireland. Phase 3 will examine job advertisements related to ICT-intensive occupations in Ireland where gender-based disparities in digital skills are most pronounced and analyse their associated skills and competencies requirements (including Technical, Business and Transversal skills).