IT women

 

By Cristina Boner, founder and leader of Globalweb Corp and president of the Association of Women Entrepreneurs (AME)

 
 
The market has been showing important changes in parameters in terms of reducing gender inequality in the profession. Before small and restricted to a few functions, the presence of women in management positions and even ahead of important projects is already a reality that is here to stay. Research by SEBRAE, for example, points out that they represent 52% of new businesses opened in the country. Ten years ago, that number was less than 30%.
 
The strength of female entrepreneurship has even reached markets that were previously led by the male audience, as is the case of the Information Technology area. Today, according to market research, women represent approximately 20% of the total workers in the segment.
 
With an accelerated growth in recent years, the sector demands professionals increasingly specialized and able to face the high competitiveness and constant changes of the modern world. In this context, female leaders have stood out, mainly for bringing characteristics such as flexibility, sensitivity and the power of dialogue to the companies' management processes. In addition, women have a strong determination to transcend their limitations and project themselves in challenges that give them recognition, financial independence and evidence, which contributes to greater success in leadership positions.
 
The rise of women in the IT market is also a reflection of the greater search for specialization. This movement has even stood out among women from the C, D and E classes – increasingly important in Brazilian economic development. At the Association of Women Entrepreneurs (AME), an entity that seeks to value women in Brazilian society and in the job market, the demand for computer courses grows every year, with hundreds of professionals trained in the last ten years.
 
Despite the changes that are taking place, we still have a lot to do to consolidate the female presence in the business environment. In several regions of the country, the idea that women only have to take care of the house and family persists. Even with the gradual increase of women in charge of Brazilian families - 38% of the total -, there are still major obstacles to liquidating this gender antagonism in a short time.
 
In addition to creating laws that favor equality, we must invest in educational initiatives for our heirs and work in an evolutionary way so that there is a sustainable system for future generations in all areas: professional and private.
 
It is also necessary to eliminate from the market this mentality of the gender difference as an important factor for exercising a strategic position in companies. There is no longer any doubt that we are prepared to lead innovative and successful businesses. Today, after years of struggle, we can say that we are responsible not only for the success of our family, but for the sustainable growth of our country.