Advances and challenges in the digital inclusion of women in Latin America and the Caribbean
In an increasingly digitized world, the equal participation of women in technology is essential for economic and social development. However, the gender gap in this sector remains a significant challenge.
The exclusion of women from the digital sphere has had a considerable economic cost. According to UN Women, low- and middle-income countries have lost $1 trillion of their GDP due to this exclusion, and it is estimated that this could increase to $1.5 trillion by 2025 if actions are not implemented to address the problem.
The She is Digital program has been implemented to close gender gaps in the region's technology industry. To date, it has graduated 2,200 women in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, offering certifications in Cybersecurity, Web Development and Cloud Computing.
According to a report by Michael Page, 48% of vacancies in the IT sector cannot be filled due to a shortage of qualified professionals. In addition, a study by IT Talent 2023 reveals that only 23% of technology workers in Latin America are women. These numbers evidence a disconnect between the educational offer and the demands of the labor market, underscoring the need for initiatives such as She is Digital.
Irlanda Yadira Mora, a 24-year-old mother of two in the State of Mexico, Mexico, obtained her first job in cybersecurity with Minsait after completing the She is Digital program and obtaining the certification. Although balancing caring for her children with studying was a challenge, Yadira says, “She is Digital empowered me and showed me that cybersecurity is also for women.” Now, as a Security Operations Center Analyst, she enjoys a significant salary.
Women represent a great source of talent that should be tapped for the economic and social development of the region. Including more women in the digital world not only promotes gender equity, but also boosts economic growth and innovation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The She is Digital program thrives thanks to the invaluable support of our regional and local partners, including the IDB Lab, Caterpillar Foundation, CABEI, Delta, Cisco, IBM, AWS, and Neoris. Their strategic collaboration enables us to broaden the program's reach, offer comprehensive training opportunities, and promote women's inclusion in the technology sector.
“Programs like She is Digital are critical to addressing gender inequality in the technology sector,” says Noël Zemborain, president of Junior Achievement Americas. “By fostering the training and inclusion of women in this area, we not only contribute to closing the gender gap, but also empower a more equitable and prosperous future for the entire region.”
Learn more about the program at https://jamujerdigital.org/