The month of March arrives as a powerful reminder of the importance of celebrating women's journeys and reflecting on the challenges that still persist – especially in the technology sector, where female representation has historically been limited. Despite significant growth – according to data from the General Register of Employed and Unemployed (CAGED), female participation in technology increased by 60% between 2015 and 2022 – women still represent only 12.3% of professionals, while men make up about 83.3% of the market. In this context, theBeyondsoft, global IT consultancy, and theSenac-RJ, in the voice of their Human Resources and IT leaders, emphasize and discuss the female presence in the technology market.
According toAlexandra Visconti, HR Manager for Brazil and Costa RicaandBeyondsoft, the numbers highlight not only the path taken so far but also the distance still to be covered for true equality of opportunities to be achieved. The manager ensures that, regardless of gender, benefits and salaries are equal rights for all company employees. Gender is not an issue for working in the IT field, and over the years, I have had the opportunity to hire men and women equally capable. More and more women are interested in this profession, which ensures a fabulous diversity for the company. In Costa Rica, we also hire many women with technical profiles. The more candidates appear, the greater the opportunity for us to hire. Everyone benefits.
Among the challenges faced by women in the IT market, the lack of female leaders is a significant obstacle. According to the Women in Technology survey by Michael Page consulting (2021), across Latin America, less than 30% of leadership positions in this sector are held by women.Betsy Ferreira, Head of Technology at Senac-RJand a professional with 40 years of experience in the sector, considers this issue through his own career. "After six years of a rapidly evolving story at the software company where I started working, already holding a senior position in the technical area, I sought a new professional chapter in a large company. There, I was able to overcome what might have been the greatest challenge of my professional history: securing the position of executive manager at a company that had never before had women in such a role. I had the privilege of being the first, but to do so, I had to go through a process that none of the other executive managers had experienced. I was an interim for nearly two years and, only after a thorough evaluation, was I finally officially appointed to the position."
In contrast to the challenges posed, the expansion of female leadership has proven to be a competitive differentiator: according to the reportDiversity Matters Even More, disclosed by McKinsey at the end of 2023, companies with greater female representation in their executive teams are 39% more likely to perform better financially than their less diverse competitors. "Technology is a field that values adaptability and problem-solving, and when women are included and valued in the sector, they bring a variety of skills and knowledge that enrich the work environment and drive technological progress. That is why diversity in teams is such a positive differentiator," says Alexandra.
For Betsy, the old profile of the authoritarian hierarchical leader has been widely subverted by facilitative leadership that inspires, develops, and cares for their teams – a new profile that women, by facing and overcoming significant challenges in the professional realm, are able to develop precisely. "The presence of women in management positions brings more humane and engaging practices to the corporate environment. Such practices tend to accelerate the pace of innovation in the setting where they are implemented. Women naturally work collaboratively and are capable of building bonds and connections that enhance the creative power and productivity of their teams," comments the specialist.
Among the celebrations and reflections sparked by International Women's Day, both professionals invite women who would like to work in technology but are unfamiliar with the field or face barriers to accessing it. Alexandra emphasizes the existence of many programs to encourage the training and integration of women into the IT market, where volunteers and experienced professionals provide mentoring and workshops. Betsy already advises women of all ages to seek connections and support, invest in their education, and move forward without fear of challenges. With the diversification of the technology market, everyone wins, and this is a statement that should not be limited to the month of March.
