Article authored by Sandra Baía, Business Manager at KCS iT, originally published in Dinheiro Vivo.

Having grown up in a rural setting, I spent my childhood in an environment and community where girls were encouraged toward domestic, caregiving tasks. Boys, on the other hand, were steered toward outdoor tasks, tied to challenge and the will to win.

My birthday and Christmas gifts were dolls, kitchen sets, and colorful toy phones. Conversely, my brother received spaceships, robots, and video games.

In this way, society and pre-established expectations perpetuated the idea that the feminine world was the space of care, emotions, and the private domain - home, children - while the world of big constructions, logic, achievements, and adventures was the masculine one.

As a result, over several generations, this stereotype ended up directly influencing future career choices, causing technology-related courses to be predominantly a male world.

The feminine world did not see the world of technology as its own.

Established social norms led, during a certain period, to the underrepresentation of women in STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and, consequently, in careers in these fields.

However, despite the obstacles imposed on women in the scientific and technological world during a certain period and social context, their intellectual and resilient work led us to the technology and internet we know today. The first algorithm in history, the STP protocol, mobile phone and Wi-Fi network technology, as well as some of the most important programming languages, were created by women.

Today, in Portugal, there are many examples of women who have built successful careers in STEM fields. Daniela Braga (DefinedCrowd), Carolina Amorim (EmotAI), Cristina Fonseca (Talkdesk), Daniela Seixas (Tonic App) are some of the Portuguese names who have distinguished themselves in the National and International entrepreneurial scene through their innovative creations. According to the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs 2019, Portugal ranked 10th among countries with the highest percentage of women entrepreneurs, at 30.2%.

The social paradigm has changed, and the influence of the technology world is undeniable evidence of that. Due to digitalization and the growing number of start-ups and technology companies in the country, demand for qualified professionals in STEM fields has surged, and female presence and influence are today a reality.

I believe in the value and capabilities of women in the world of technology. I believe that a multicultural, inclusive environment with gender plurality becomes much richer and more conducive to generating new ideas and solving problems.

Together, we will always be better.