Maria had always been passionate about math and technology. Since she was a child, she spent hours taking apart electronic devices and building small robots. Her family and friends always encouraged her to follow her dreams and explore her curiosity.
After graduating from university, Maria got a job as a software engineer at a large tech company. However, despite her professional success, she felt like something was missing. She wanted to create something of her own, something that would have a real impact on people’s lives.
After several years of experience, Maria decided to start her own business. With a team of talented engineers and a clear vision, she founded a startup that developed mobile apps for people with disabilities.
At first, it wasn’t easy. Maria had to face numerous challenges, such as securing funding, building a solid team, and competing with large tech companies. But her passion and determination drove her to keep going.
Just when her startup was starting to take off, Maria received news that changed her life: she was pregnant. Despite her excitement about becoming a mother, she also felt a great deal of uncertainty. Shortly after telling her team about her pregnancy, she was informed that her position would be eliminated due to a company restructuring.
Maria felt deeply disappointed and frustrated. However, instead of letting this situation bring her down, she decided to use her experience as an opportunity to further boost her business. With the help of her team and family, she devoted herself entirely to her startup.
Working from home, with a newborn baby, was quite a challenge. But Maria was determined to prove that motherhood and entrepreneurship were not incompatible. With each obstacle she overcame, she felt stronger and more determined. Over time, Maria’s apps became a huge success. Her company not only helped improve the quality of life of millions of people with disabilities, but also became a role model for other startups led by women.
Fewer women work in technology
The inclusion of women in the technology field has seen significant growth in recent years, although significant gender gaps still persist. While more and more women are studying STEM careers and joining the technology industry, their representation in leadership roles and highly specialized areas continues to be lower. Various cultural, social, and educational factors influence this situation, creating challenges such as a lack of female role models, gender stereotypes, and inequalities in opportunities.
Women are underrepresented in leadership positions. Although women are present in technical roles, their representation in senior management positions is lower.
Women are disproportionately underpaid in the tech industry. In many instances, women in tech positions are paid less than their male counterparts for performing the same job.
Women face a multitude of biases that hinder their entry into the technology field. Stereotypes about women being less skilled in STEM subjects, coupled with a lack of female role models in the industry, often discourage girls from pursuing careers in technology. Additionally, workplace cultures that are perceived as male-dominated can create hostile environments for women, leading to higher attrition rates. These biases not only limit women’s opportunities but also deprive the tech industry of diverse perspectives and innovative ideas.
However, initiatives promoting mentorship and inclusion policies are driving positive change, recognizing the value that gender diversity brings to innovation and technological development
Additionally, companies need to review their recruitment and promotion processes to eliminate unconscious bias and create inclusive organizational cultures. By fostering gender diversity in technology, not only will greater equity be achieved, but innovation will also be enriched and better business results will be obtained.
Organizations that can help you start your tech business
Worldwide, more and more women are studying and working in technology. Despite the challenges, there are many communities and NGOs ready to help you kickstart your first tech job or venture.
Women Who Code is one of the largest communities for women in technology. With chapters worldwide, they offer a vast networking platform to connect with other tech professionals through events and conferences. Their mentorship program aims to empower more women to enter the tech world. Additionally, they provide scholarships and funding to help you acquire the skills needed to start a business.
Girl Develop It is another non-profit organization dedicated to providing women with the tools to enter the IT world and develop their programming skills. They currently offer courses in JavaScript, Python, SQL, and WordPress.
In Latin America, Chicas en Tecnología offers free training programs. Their primary goal is to inspire girls and teenagers to pursue technology-related careers. Beyond training, Chicas en Tecnología aims to create a large community of female programmers and leaders.
Their website hosts a wealth of free webinars. Topics covered in these videos include data manipulation and visualization, software development, testing, and QA, among others.
Maria’s story is an inspiring example of overcoming obstacles and turning challenges into opportunities. Her perseverance, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit have made her a role model for many women around the world.
Like Maria, many women aspire to start their first tech business. Education and training are crucial for the success of any initial venture. Today, numerous organizations are working to empower women, girls, and teenagers with the skills to enter the IT workforce.