The underrepresentation of women in the tech sector

Today, March 8, International Women’s Day, it is essential to turn our attention to a very important issue: the persistent underrepresentation of women in the technology sector.

In recent years, we have seen significant growth in the tech space and in building tech services in Mexico. However, despite progress on gender equality in many fields, it is worrying that women have little representation in this sector so vital to progress and innovation.

In Mexico, the Information Technology (IT) sector saw sustained growth and greater momentum in job creation through 2023. Despite this progress, a notable gender gap persists: only 20% of employees in this sector are women. These figures highlight a clear gender gap in tech jobs that needs to be addressed urgently and as a priority.

To understand the size of the problem in Mexico, it is worth noting that only 44% of women currently participate in the labor force, compared with 77% of men. In management, only 9% of digital and tech companies have women in leadership positions, and only 23% have a female cofounder.

Looking at these alarming figures, and recognizing that we have not yet reached true gender parity or equitable representation of women in Mexico’s IT sector, a closer look at the social context shows that women face significant obstacles from an early age.

Gender disparity and bias

It takes root in childhood and lasts until the moment of choosing a career. The well-known phrase “boys play at building robots while girls dance ballet” vividly illustrates how the collective imagination shapes women’s educational and professional choices. In 2021, only 13.5% of people who graduated in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) were women. Cultural stereotypes, which have traditionally associated women more with sectors such as health, care and administration, at the expense of technological innovation, historically dominated by men, play a crucial role in this gap.

These figures show the challenges women face in the tech sector every day. Despite growing female participation in the field, there is clearly still much to do. To break the well-known “glass ceiling”, it is essential that women have more role models in leadership positions in the tech industry. This will not only inspire future generations, but also help create a more inclusive and equitable environment for all.

Organizations working to increase women’s participation in tech

At Orbi, as a fintech company, we are dedicated to tackling and closing the gender gap in the tech sector. We recognize the constant challenge of finding and recruiting female talent in technology. While a significant disparity persists because of the shortage of qualified women in this field, we are committed to moving forward and will not rest until we achieve meaningful change.

Today, many organizations are working to increase women’s participation in the tech sector. It is essential to support and encourage more women in these areas of innovation, since their presence and representation not only promote diversity but also drive technological progress. We need to rethink things from childhood, encouraging girls and women to study and take ownership of innovation and technology spaces. By giving them access to education and opportunities in these areas from an early age, we lay the groundwork for greater inclusion and equity in the future of the tech sector.

We women must keep occupying both public and professional spaces, ensuring equitable representation in every area of society and the economy. It is essential to promote women’s visibility at work and support their active participation in decision-making and in creating innovative solutions to today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. This full and diverse inclusion is not only an ethical imperative, but also a necessity to drive sustainable and equitable development in every sphere of life.

“We will only succeed if we do not forget to learn”
Rosa Luxemburg

Sources

Some of the organizations mentioned above:
Girls Who Code
Mujeres en Tech
Women in Technology International
Epic Queen
La Brecha de Género en la Tecnología…Hablemos del Tema. (n.d.). Ironhack.com. Retrieved March 7, 2024, https://www.ironhack.com/mx/blog/la-brecha-de-genero-en-la-tecnologia-hablemos-del-tema
World Economic Forum (n.d.). Retrieved March 7, 2024, https://es.weforum.org/agenda/2023/10/las-mujeres-estan-subrepresentadas-en-la-tecnologia-asi-es-como-esta-ong-quiere-cambiar-las-cosas/
Empresas de tecnología en México enfrentan la brecha de género laboral. (2023, March 23). Fortia. https://fortia.com.mx/tendencias-recursos-humanos/empresas-de-tecnologia-en-mexico-enfrentan-la-brecha-de-genero-laboral/
Las mujeres sí facturan y el Inegi lo confirma. (2023, July 27). El Financiero. https://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/economia/2023/07/27/las-mujeres-si-facturan-y-el-inegi-lo-confirma-estas-es-el-numero-de-mujeres-que-trabaja-en-mexico/
Rogish, A., Shemluck, N., Hazuria, S., & Danielecki, P. (2023, June 8). Advancing women leaders in the financial services industry, 2023 update: A global assessment. Deloitte Insights. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/financial-services/women-leaders-financial-services.html