Women in Data Science: Three Years of Challenges and Progress
Abstract
Data science is growing as a strategic field in Brazil, but female participation still faces structural barriers, reflecting wage inequalities and low representation in leadership positions. This study analyzes the evolution of women’s presence in the sector in Brazil based on data from the State of Data Brazil surveys between 2021 and 2023. The research considers salary distribution, seniority, experience, and leadership positions. The results indicate gradual advances in female participation but highlight persistent inequalities, especially in access to strategic positions. The study emphasizes the need for concrete actions to promote gender equity.References
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Botella, C., Rueda, S., López-Iñesta, E., and Marzal, P. (2019). Gender diversity in stem disciplines: A multiple factor problem. Entropy, 21(1):30.
Carlsen, L. and Bruggemann, R. (2022). The 17 united nations’ sustainable development goals: A status by 2020. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 29(3):219–229.
Forlenza, K. (2024). Quebre o Teto de Vidro: Estratégias Revolucionárias para Atingir o Próximo Nível da Carreira (Até Chegar ao Topo). Rocco, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
Hakim, C. (2006). Women, careers, and work-life preferences. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 34(3):279–294.
Hyrynsalmi, S. and Sutinen, E. (2019). The role of women software communities in attracting more women to the software industry. In 2019 IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation (ICE/ITMC), pages 1–7.
InfoMoney (2024). Contrata-se: demanda por cientistas de dados cresce 4000%. Accessed on Feb 24, 2025.
Keshari, N. (2024). Exploring the challenges to achieving gender diversity in swedish it firms-perspectives of employers and employees-a qualitative study. Master’s thesis, University of Gothenburg.
Medeiros, A., Amorim, A., Cruzado, V., Silva, I., Viana, A., Aguiar, J., Brandão, D., Silva, F., and Coutinho, R. (2024). Promoção de espaços voltados ao incentivo e formação de meninas e mulheres na área tecnológica: Um relato de experiência das alunas atuantes. In Anais do XVIII Women in Information Technology, pages 343–348, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. SBC.
Nolasco, M., Aguiar, C., Valli, A., Boeres, M., and Catabriga, L. (2023). Um panorama das publicações da sbc sobre a temática mulheres na computação. In Anais do XVII Women in Information Technology, pages 305–316, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. SBC.
Oliveira-Ciabati, L., Santos, L. L., Hsiou, A. S., Sasso, A. M., Castro, M., and Souza, J. P. (2021). Sexismo científico: o viés de gênero na produção científica da universidade de são paulo. Revista de Saúde Pública, page 46.
Puritty, C., Strickland, L. R., Alia, E., Blonder, B., Klein, E., Kohl, M. T., McGee, E., Quintana, M., Ridley, R. E., Tellman, B., et al. (2017). Without inclusion, diversity initiatives may not be enough. Science, 357(6356):1101–1102.
Roque, C. B. and Bertolin, P. T. M. (2021). As carreiras das mulheres no Brasil: igualdade de oportunidades ou teto de vidro? / women’s careers in brazil: equal opportunities or glass ceiling? Brazilian Journal of Development, 7(3):23792–23813.
Sociedade Brasileira de Computação (2015). Programa meninas digitais. [link].
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023). Occupational outlook handbook, data scientists. Accessed on Feb 25, 2025.
Published
2025-07-20
How to Cite
BELMONTE, Jullie; BELLOZE, Kele; QUEIROZ, Carmen Lucia A.; OMAI, Mayara M.; LOPES E SILVA, Fabricio; COUTINHO, Rafaelli; BRANDÃO, Diego.
Women in Data Science: Three Years of Challenges and Progress. In: WOMEN IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (WIT), 19. , 2025, Maceió/AL.
Anais [...].
Porto Alegre: Sociedade Brasileira de Computação,
2025
.
p. 298-308.
ISSN 2763-8626.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5753/wit.2025.9338.
