International Women’s Day (March 8th) serves as a commemoration of women’s achievements and a catalyst for advancing gender equity. Since 1911, this day has inspired communities worldwide to recognize and honor women’s contributions to society.
As a technology company, we recognize women’s growing representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Today, we honor women’s STEM journey and reinforce our work to keep women in tech growing.
In 2022, our Women in Tech Report noted rising female applicants. Building on this, let’s delve into new promising data and ongoing actions aimed at fostering a more inclusive tech industry where talented women can thrive.
Women in STEM: Numbers across the Americas
The discussion surrounding women’s participation in STEM intends to push the boundaries for gender parity. The United States is among the top countries championing women in STEM, with 34% of people working in STEM roles being women and 34% of STEM graduates being female.
If we look at LATAM, enrollment in STEM careers at the higher education level, women represent 34% in Argentina, 25% in Chile, 30% in Brazil, and 38% in Mexico. While below parity goals, these numbers reflect active efforts by governments and NGOs to encourage female participation. However, gender stereotypes still deter female motivation in STEM.
A research study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) reported that gender stereotypes influence career choices in the sciences field. Surveying nearly 5,000 high school students aged 14-21 from Belize, Colombia, and Costa Rica. Findings revealed that ‘hard sciences’ like exact sciences, IT, and technology were perceived as suitable for men, while ‘soft sciences’ like biology and medicine were associated with women.
Moreover, the study highlighted that 81% of female participants anticipated discrimination in STEM fields. While this study is limited in geographical reach, it is representative across LATAM. This stresses the importance for societies and companies to cultivate STEM environments where women feel they belong.
Females Applying to BairesDev Keep Growing
Women’s engagement in BairesDev’s job applications has surged. This signals a positive shift in our company’s applicant demographics. In 2023, out of 2.5 million applications, women accounted for 51% of applicants, marking the first time they surpassed half of the annual new applicant pool in company history.
Despite minor fluctuations, female participation remained consistently above 48.5% every month throughout 2023, demonstrating sustained interest.
Average applications per woman
In 2023, each woman applied to six positions on average, showcasing their eagerness to explore various opportunities within BairesDev. In comparison, men applied to an average of 11 positions. The overall average for BairesDev candidates stood at eight positions per applicant, highlighting the diverse range of opportunities available within the company.
Female talent currently working with us
In 2023, BairesDev saw a 134% increase in female talent compared to 2019. Women in technical positions (like software engineers, QA testers, or project managers) surged by 169% from 2019.
In 2023, 61% of women in technical roles were aged 31-40, while 26% were aged 41-50. These figures underscore the diversity of age representation and women’s involvement across different stages of their professional lives.
An upward trajectory in 2024
This year, the upward trajectory of women’s participation in BairesDev’s applications continues. Females represented 55% of all applicants between January 1st and February 15th. This equates to 26,866 talented female professionals who have shown interest in joining our company.
LATAM female talent is growing in unexpected places
There are notable rising players in the demographic shift we have witnessed. From 2019 to 2023, Panama, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago contributed over 40,000 female applicants. The factors driving this growth are government investment in tech education, improved regional connectivity, and proximity to the US, particularly beneficial for English-speaking territories.
Trinidad & Tobago saw a 12,025% increase in female applications from 4 to 485, while Jamaica experienced a staggering 9,580% surge from 10 to 968. Similarly, Brazil exhibited significant growth, skyrocketing by 4,572% from 14,763 to 689,679 over the past five years, positioning it as the third fastest-growing country in female applicants in LATAM.
How BairesDev supports gender parity
We evaluate candidates solely on skills without bias based on gender, background, or race or any other aspects. This fosters diverse teams and opportunities for career advancement. Furthermore, the company encourages the referral of female professionals through its Referral Program, extending opportunities for career advancement and inclusivity.
To enhance hiring efficiency and team composition, we utilize an AI-powered Team Recommendation Engine. This proprietary tool leverages machine learning algorithms to match clients’ project requirements with the most suitable talents in our database, facilitating the assembly of high-performing teams.
We prioritize work-life balance and well-being through Smart Working, a framework promoting productivity and flexibility. Professionals are empowered with technology and open communication to choose how, when, and where to work effectively. This flexibility is beneficial for professionals managing family responsibilities, allowing them to balance work and nurturing tasks.
The combination of these efforts has resulted in important recognition and awards. One of them acknowledged our welcoming culture for women, with 98% of women recommending working at our company.
Source: Comparably
More Careers in Tech
In collaboration with Platzi, a leading Latin American tech-learning platform, the company provided scholarships to 100 women in 2023. These scholarships granted access to software development and English proficiency online courses for a year.
Host Edna Cárdenas from Platzi and speaker Catalina Soto from BairesDev at Platzi Talks.
Additionally, through our Giveback Program, BairesDev has supported tech education opportunities for underrepresented groups, making significant contributions to NGOs such as Women Who Code, Girls in Tech, and Black Girls Code. Our goal is to provide equal opportunities for talented professionals, build a better company, and make tech more democratized.
Our Chief Innovation Officer, Rocío Belfiore, who joined BairesDev when she was just 18 years old, is an example of diverse talent knowing no boundaries. She was recently honored for her achievements as a global technology leader at the Women in Tech Global Awards 2023. This recognition underscores her significant contributions to the tech industry and serves as inspiration for the next generation of female leaders in our field.
The data speaks volumes: a surge in female applicants, and a significant increase in women in technical positions. Our dedication is yielding tangible results, promising a future where parity and inclusivity are integral to the industry. As we reflect on the progress made, let’s recommit to creating a world where every individual, regardless of gender, can thrive in the tech landscape.
