About57% of women say they are the only black female leader where they work. It is what the 4th edition of the research indicatesBlack Women in Leadership, developed by99jobsin partnership with theUN Global Compact – Brazil Network
The research also revealed that women continue to be predominantly led by men with few signs of progress compared to the results of previous editions of the survey. Among the interviewees, 70% they say it isled by menand60% they claim to work at a companypresided by men. When discussing the career path, 72%they pointed out having had moremale leadersversus28% women leaders.
Incisive attitudes for greater acceptance
The respondents, 73% they said they had passedspeaking louder, will be more incisive, in search of more credibility or acceptance in the market. Вже48% contamto have given up on some dream or valueto become leaders
Almost the entirety, 96%, highlights that prejudice still existsin placing women in leadership positions, with structural racism and institutional sexism being the main points of difficulty perceived
Among them, 43% feel more comfortable and with more opennesswhen led by other women; 94% believe that the presence of a black woman in leadershipopens doors and encouragesother women reaching this position, and80% they say that the women who raised them were inspirations for them to become a leader
Difficulties on the path to leadership
According to the interviewees, the main difficulties encountered on the path to a leadership position are
- 52% Structural racism
- 48% Institutional machismo
- 43% Aligning goals with personal activities
- 34% Access to experiences
- 30% Aligning goals with family activities
- Other items on the list of options: Xenophobia, Ableism, LGBTQIA+phobia, access to experiences, access to education, personal health issues
Factors that helped to reach a leadership position
- 50% A lot of experience in the market
- 47% Academic qualification
- 30% Professional recommendation
- 28% Mentors
- 11% Ivy League University
- Other items on the list of options: study or work abroad, family influence, shameless person, support from white people, company change, to have a female director, knowledge of diversity and inclusion, self-taughtness, support from colleagues and allies, results and competence
Black women are a minority representation in leadership positions. There are several structural crossings that hinder this growth and the attainment of occupied positions, until then, majority by men. The research results are crucial for building effective initiatives that promote a break from this scenario, highlightsPriscila Salgado, diversity and inclusion director at 99jobs and responsible for the survey.
"The research brings us alarming data", but that, unfortunately, are also not surprising. The landscape among black leadership in the corporate world still needs a lot of attention, long-term dedicated initiatives, so that we can reverse these numbers. Listen to these leaders to map the absences, the pains, their loneliness, it is the first step being taken when we set out to listen to them. But the walk is really long, explainVeronica Vassalo, Diversity Manager, Equity and Inclusion in the UN Global Compact – Brazil Network, that supports the conduct of the research
Samplethe research was conducted with 331 black women, between 25 and 44 years old, who hold positions of Coordinator (28%), Manager (28%), Supervision (12%); 9% (Director); 7% (Leader); 2% (Nível C); and 1% (Councillor). The respondents, 13% are founders of their own company. Grau de escolaridade entre pós-graduação/MBA (41%), Master's (10%) and completed Doctorate (2%). Main sectors highlighted: Third sector 12%, Retail and Trade 12%, Social and Education 9%, Services 8% and Health 8%
