Colombia. March arrives and, as usual, much is said about the fight for gender equality. In fact, at a global level, studies have been carried out that show the persistence in the labor gap that women continue to experience compared to men.
The technology industry is one of the sectors in which this inequality is most reflected. According to Deloitte, while the presence of women in large technology companies has reached 33%, increasing two points compared to 2019, this figure is still low.
Paula Casarejos, talent and culture manager at Kibernum, explained that "we faithfully believe that, to achieve the path to a just society, it is important to promote equal opportunities for all people within organizations. With almost 94% of women managing Kibernum's operation in Colombia, we can see the positive results we have obtained by focusing on generating inclusive and diverse environments, which aim to develop participatory and successful strategies for the company, without thinking about gender."
To reduce the gender gap, it is urgent to start working towards a more equitable industry and the first step is to demystify some false beliefs that exist around STEM careers and women.
1. Women don't know how to lead
This false belief has its origin in the stereotype that women are more vulnerable, that it is difficult for them to get their voices out or impose their ideas. However, these are concepts of the past and have nothing to do with the current reality. Even a recent study by Aequales, with Apoyo Consultoría (Peru) and the Center for Studies in Corporate Governance of CESA (Colombia), showed that the profitability of companies increases with more women in management positions.
2. Women don't know numbers
Many girls and women curb their dreams because of this prejudice that STEM careers are designed for men, but the reality is that mathematics knows no gender. Women and men have the same ability to study numbers, learn engineering or science and apply it in the world of work.
3. Women in the sector are not feminine
When talking about women in science and technology, people, for the most part, tend to develop a misconception of gender. It is believed that they should be masculine, dress loosely, and even wear glasses. This is completely false, a career does not define the style of a person, it is based solely on the personality and style of each person.
4. Women generate conflict
In the past, the arrival of a woman to the work team was considered to mean problems or 'dramas' in working hours. On the contrary, it has been proven that the inclusion of women in the industry represents diversity, better performance and allows to develop an innovative thinking capacity in business.
5. Women receive a lower income
It would be a lie to say that, in general, there is no wage inequality between men and women in the country. However, in the IT industry it is sought that this is different, and even, according to the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTIC), women who enter the digital segment in the labor market have more competitive salaries than in other industries.
Undoubtedly, at the labor level, the gender war is not easy to bear, but in the technology sector women have found an opportunity to develop and excel. In addition, it is no secret that STEM careers have become the ones of choice for young women looking to solve and be at the forefront of real-world problems.
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