An Introduction to Gender Equity in the Technology Industry in Mexico
The software engineering industry in Mexico has experienced significant growth in recent years, resulting in an increase in the number of women working in the field. However, despite these positive developments, gender diversity in the industry remains a persistent issue. Efforts are underway to address this issue and to encourage women to enter and thrive in the field of software engineering.
One of the primary challenges for women in software engineering in Mexico is the ongoing gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), women account for just 36% of STEM graduates in Mexico. This imbalance is partially attributable to social and cultural biases that discourage women from pursuing careers in STEM.
Evelyn Cordoba, P&C Lead at Tango shares: “At a very young age, women in my family were never encouraged to pursue a career in STEM. As years went by I decided to try to learn a programming language. I enrolled in a class that was male dominated. The ambiance did not encourage collaboration, and support for women was non-existent.
”Notwithstanding these challenges, women are making significant strides in the software engineering industry in Mexico. Several women have risen to prominent leadership positions and serve as role models for aspiring software engineers. For instance, Ana Paula Assis became the first female president of IBM in Latin America, while Victoria Volkova, a transgender woman, has established herself as a successful software engineer and entrepreneur. These trailblazing women are inspiring others and demonstrating that women can excel in the field of software engineering, despite the obstacles they face.
Women in Tech Today.
A number of harsh realities persist in the software engineering industry in Mexico. For instance, a study by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography revealed that women account for just 23% of the total workforce in Mexico’s technology industry.
Furthermore, women remain underrepresented in technical and managerial roles within the industry; only 11% of software developers in Mexico are women. Additionally, a survey conducted by LinkedIn revealed that women in the technology industry in Mexico earn, on average, 25% less than their male counterparts.
According to a study conducted by McKinsey & Company in 2019, women are significantly underrepresented in tech jobs—fewer than 20 percent of tech workers are female in many mature economies. In 2018, all-male founding teams received 85 percent of total venture capital investment in the United States, while all-women teams received just 2 percent, and gender-neutral teams just 13 percent.
Dulce Lariz, a talented software engineer at Tango, shares: “When I was in college you could see how the majority of students in my classes were men. As the years went by and the number of classmates decreased you could also see how women were the number that reduced the most. Ultimately only one other female classmate and myself graduated.
”Despite these challenges, various organizations and initiatives have been launched in Mexico to address the gender gap in software engineering. The Mexican government, for example, has initiated a program called Women in Digital, which aims to increase the participation of women in technology-related fields.
In addition, organizations like Girls in Tech Mexico and Mujeres en Tecnología (Women in Technology) are working to provide education, networking, and mentorship opportunities for women in the industry.
Despite ongoing challenges, there is reason to be optimistic about the future of women in software engineering in Mexico. As more women enter and succeed in the field, they will serve as role models and inspire future generations of girls to pursue careers in software engineering and other STEM fields. With continued efforts to support and empower women in technology, we can create a more diverse and inclusive software engineering industry in Mexico and beyond.
Looking ahead
Providing education and training programs specifically aimed at women is an essential step toward increasing gender diversity in the software engineering industry. Girls in Tech Mexico and Mujeres en Tecnología are organizations that have taken this approach by offering mentorship opportunities, networking events, and workshops aimed at building technical skills.
In addition, companies need to address any unconscious biases that may be present in the workplace.
One strategy is to implement blind hiring practices, where candidate information such as gender and race are hidden from recruiters during the hiring process. This can help eliminate bias in the hiring process and ensure that candidates are selected based on their qualifications and skills.
Ivón Corona, a TA Specialist at Tango, adds: “Sadly, out of the almost 300 candidates we had last year, less than 10% were women. We are striving and pushing ahead to improve these numbers, by nurturing our female talent within the organization so they can excel even more at their programming skills.”
Another strategy is to provide diversity and inclusion training to managers and employees so that they can recognize and challenge their biases and create a more welcoming and supportive environment for all employees.
Mónica, a TA specialist at Tango shares: “We look for talent over anything else, female talent exists and is out there”.
These steps can help companies create a workplace culture that values diversity and encourages the inclusion of underrepresented groups, such as women, in software engineering.
Final word
Gender diversity in the software engineering industry in Mexico remains a persistent issue, with women underrepresented in technical and managerial roles and earning less than their male counterparts. However, there are several organizations and initiatives in place to address this issue and encourage women to pursue careers in software engineering.
By providing education and training programs specifically aimed at women, implementing blind hiring practices, and providing diversity and inclusion training to managers and employees, the industry can create a more diverse and inclusive workplace culture
As more women enter and succeed in the field, they will serve as role models and inspire future generations of girls to pursue careers in software engineering and other STEM fields, ultimately leading to a more equitable and inclusive industry in Mexico and beyond.
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