The Transformative Power of Including Girls and Young Women in Technology

This article was originally published in Spanish on ámbito Financiero. ?

Technology education in Latin America has made progress in attracting women to the IT sector. Government initiatives, companies, and NGOs are working to make this involvement more accessible and comprehensive. However, despite significant progress, the landscape remains challenging: according to data from Women in Tech 2023, globally, women represent only 16% of graduates in Computer Science and Information Science. Furthermore, less than a third of the workforce in IT areas is made up of women—only 28% in total.??

Invisible barriers, such as biases and stereotypes, prevent women from reaching the positions they desire, hindering their progress in their careers. They are often not encouraged to explore the field of IT, resulting in less interest and fewer opportunities for them in the future. Therefore, changing this situation not only contributes to progress and innovation in the sector but also has a positive impact on society.?

Drawing from the initiative of UN Women , female presence represents only 22% of professionals in artificial intelligence worldwide, 44.2% of the 133 AI systems analyzed in different sectors still exhibit gender bias, and 259 million women have less access to the Internet than men, despite representing almost half of the world's population. ? ?

Transformation and Results ? ?

Technological knowledge empowers women to become agents of change in their communities. With encouragement and access, they can create solutions for local problems, promote digital inclusion, and inspire other girls to follow in their footsteps. In the development of technologies, for example, women's participation ensures that products and services are designed with the needs of all genders in mind.??

In IT outsourcing and nearshore projects, women's empowerment is particularly relevant, as diverse teams bring different skills and perspectives , improving the quality of services provided. Technology knows no borders, and trained professionals can contribute to the success of companies worldwide.??

Furthermore, when women have equal access to opportunities in technological areas, they contribute to the economy, create jobs, and stimulate growth. Female inclusion fosters innovation, impacting even companies' profits. According to estimates by McKinsey & Company, companies with greater gender diversity have a 21% higher likelihood of outperforming their peers financially.??

Initiatives that Make a Difference???

To make a concrete difference, technology companies seeking to increase female participation in their teams must take affirmative actions that encourage girls' participation in the technology field from childhood. This can be done through educational programs, workshops, and activities that spark their interest.??

To support professionals already in the job market, offering training and development programs, such as courses and mentorships, helps develop technical skills in these women. Additionally, creating committees within companies focused on promoting gender equality contributes to the creation of inclusive policies, employee awareness, and the implementation of practices that ensure equal opportunities for all.??

At Nearsure, gender equality runs through various actions aimed at our community. Among them, I highlight our partnership with MediaChicas, a nonprofit organization working to include women in technology in Latin America. Through this partnership, we offer scholarships for courses that provide education to women who want to enter the technology field. Over 200 scholarships are awarded to Latin American women, providing them opportunities in this sector.??

Creating safe and welcoming spaces for women, combating gender stereotypes, and supporting their development are essential to ensuring the attraction and retention of talent in the field. Inspiration through pioneering women, such as Ada Lovelace, Hedy Lamarr, Grace Hopper, Radia Perlman, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, who have left their mark on the history of technology, also creates an important bond and generates the idealization of possibilities.??

It is important to note that gender diversity not only challenges established patterns in a predominantly male sector but is also essential for creating innovative solutions and sustainable market growth. Companies that commit to promoting actions like these can inspire the next generation of women in the technology career, unlocking the transformative potential of creating a more inclusive, just, and equitable future.