Tech Voices: Women Edition - Why do we need more women in tech?

Our CI&Ters new talents share in the panel for Tech Voices: Women Edition 2022.

The theme "Why technology?" was present in the Tech Voices event: Women Edition, a CI&T visibility initiative for women who build the company, an open stage to talk about their achievements and intellectual productions in the technology and leadership areas. The triggering question is related to the career change that many women go through to enter technology.

What is your main motivation today for entering an area where your representation is still low?

According to Stack Overflow data, in 2021, in the development area alone, women represented just over 5.31% of the workforce globally, while men were over 90%.

For Valéria Silva, present at the panel, Brazilian, developer and from a humble background, technology was an opportunity to achieve financial stability. Valéria is a person with a disability, and in the area, she found vacancies and Bootcamps aimed at underrepresented groups, facilitating her entry into the market. In the same way, for Barbara Aguilar, the technology area emerged after years of working as a designer. Dissatisfied with her career so far, she saw a Bootcamp as a chance to migrate to a new job in her 30s. 

Hiura Fernandes, UX Designer, black transvestite, highlights social projects aimed at the inclusion and training of new talents in technology. For her, these opportunities break cycles of exclusion and make people believe that a decent career is possible for a woman with her intersections. 

On the other hand, Ana Elisa, currently a software architect, graduated in physiotherapy, believing from an early age that she was not good at mathematics. Encouraged by her husband, she exercised her logical side, and, when she noticed, she was taken her first Microsoft certification. However, Ana confesses that 15 years ago, when she started her career migration, the technology area still maintained the myth that it was only for men, which increased the barriers to entry, as well as the size of the architect's victory in winning her space.

Challenges for women in tech

For Barbara, the imposter syndrome is the first barrier. Mental health and training are issues. For the developer, it is necessary to overcome the fear of succeeding, that is, to turn the key so that challenges are overcome.

On the other hand, Hiura understands the challenge of women from machismo rooted in our society, and which is reproduced even in the area of technology. Seeing women in leadership positions, and not allowing misogyny to hold women back, are key challenges in advancing gender equity.

My leaders support my career evolution, says Ana Eliza. For her, diverse environments are safe for women's education and growth. These comments are in line with the biggest barriers faced by women to grow in the tech industry, as the data below demonstrates.

Strategies for women to advance their careers

• Support and mentoring networks: From affinity groups to mentoring programs, the autonomous organization of women within companies fosters acceptance, accessibility and career development.
• Safe maternity environment: Understanding motherhood as a natural aspect of life, a mission that women can carry out for society as a whole, and not weight and motivation of concern for managers. Mothers need to be reassured that their demands will be met and their work will be respected, regardless of whether they need to leave early to take care of their child with a toothache.
• Accessibility: Understood as universal, for people with disabilities, and beyond. Inclusive language is about accessibility too, for example. Including people through texts, actions, and practices is fundamental to the dignity of women. 
• Visibility: Internal awareness with leaders is structuring, understanding that women have intersectionalities, while mothers, black, trans, and disabled women. We need to make women in leadership positions visible to inspire other women and girls. 

Women, diversity, and better technologies 

Bárbara Aguilar emphasizes that the more women producing technology, whether developing, building products, AI, design, etc. better are these products for other women and minority groups. It is an impact that goes beyond the workspace but rather a unique vision that influences the quality and uses of technology. This social point is shared by all.

---