Elections in Colombia: women's communities present a proposal in technology for the next government

Three of the most influential Colombian communities of women in technology delivered to the presidential candidates a public policy document that seeks to transform access to this sector. Womenize Latam, Mujeres TIC and Women in Tech Colombia, groups with more than 15 years of experience in talent training and analysis of gender gaps, made public the agenda "Gender and Technology: democratization of women's access to technology in Colombia". Organizations warned that the leakage of female talent between school and employment represented a loss of productive capacity that the country needs. The document highlighted that, although more than 52% of Colombian girls participated in science and technology activities, only 32.35% of students in STEM careers were women, a proportion that decreased for three consecutive years. Furthermore, only 17% of university graduates in technology were women, and for every 100 men who accessed managerial positions in technology, only 52 women managed to advance to those roles. The Central Bank of Colombia estimated that, if the gender gap in the labor market were closed, Colombia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could grow between 10% and 80%. We recommend reading:

The organizations highlighted that this gender gap is observed from the student stage.

Proposals: data, environments, and leadership

The agenda presented by Womenize Latam proposed the creation of a National Gender Information System in the IT Sector, articulated between the DANE, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MinTIC), the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Ministry of National Education (MEN). The platform would allow the collection of regionally disaggregated data and the adoption of international standards to avoid biases in artificial intelligence.

A study by the University of Berkeley, cited in the document, analyzed 133 AI systems in different industries and detected gender bias in 44% of them. Sandra Rozo, director of Womenize Latam, and Ximena Duque, leader of the public policy committee, stated: “We turn that historical debt into a real competitive advantage for the country.”

Women in ICT promoted the Equipares seal as a mandatory certification for government entities and voluntary, with tax incentives, for the private sector. It proposed incorporating three dimensions: mandatory training for public servants on biases and equity; public purchases that prioritize certified equality providers; and measurable annual goals for women in technical and leadership roles.

The goal was for 50% of the central government entities to be certified by 2027, 75% by 2028, and full coverage to be achieved by 2030, with at least 70% of public servants trained in equity, diversity, and inclusion. Pamela López, general director of Women in ICT, and Lorena Bolaños, co-leader of the public policy committee, stated: “Public institutions are leading the cultural transformation that allows girls, young people, and women to reach their full potential in STEM.” The proposal by Women in Tech Colombia proposed the creation of a National Bank of Female STEM Talent and affirmative actions to increase the presence of women in technological positions in the State. The objective was for female representation to reach 35% by 2027, 45% by 2029, and full parity (50%) in 2030, with annual public monitoring. Patricia Helena Fierro, director of Women in Tech Colombia, explained: "We plan to open real routes for more expert women to lead the digital transformation of the Colombian public sector." Women in Tech Colombia proposes a national bank of female talent and progressive quotas in state positions.

Commitments for the next government

The agenda presented to the presidential candidates included  nine concrete commitments and a cross-cutting commitment. Among the points highlighted were the creation of the National Gender Information System in IT, the incorporation of gender audits in the artificial intelligence bill, the certification of bias-free AI, the inclusion of the Colombia Equitativa Seal in the 2026–2030 National Development Plan, the design and financing of methodologies for the seal, the updating of ICT job profiles and the guarantee of meritocratic access to these positions. The communities requested that the cross-cutting commitment be to formally recognize them as valid interlocutors in the construction of technological public policies. The complete document was made available for consultation by candidates, media, international organizations, and the general public.