Female representation in the Brazilian industry has evolved over the years, driven by several social achievements and the growing role of women in different sectors of society. According to data from the National Service for Industrial Learning (SENAI), women represent about 24.2% of the workforce in the Brazilian industrial sector, a significant advance that reflects the struggle for more equality and equity of opportunities and professional recognition.
This progress is also reflected in the presence of women in leadership positions, although there are still challenges to be overcome. According to IBGE data from 2024, women’s participation varies greatly between sectors. In the Information and Communication market, they occupy 29.7% of managerial positions. In the sector of Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities, they take the lead, representing 53.9% of these positions. In industry, this number reaches 31%.
The industry has also been accelerating the inclusion of women in management. According to the National Observatory of Industry, between 2008 and 2021, the presence of women in leadership positions in the industrial sector — especially among plant operators, machines, and assemblers — jumped from 24% to 31.8%.
But the equation still doesn’t close when it comes to salaries. The gender disparity in the earnings of directors and managers in Brazil is 26.1%. In industry, this difference rises to 26.9%, and among science and intellectual professionals, the salary gap reaches 36.7%.
Despite this, the future promises advances. A study by Gi Group Holding (2023) revealed that 58% of companies believe that, in the next five years, women will have more opportunities in operations in the production sector. And Brazil is leading this change: it is the country with the largest number of companies confident in the rise of women within the industry.
Women in Manufacturing
For a long time, the industry was seen as a male-dominated environment. But a closer look reveals something different: women have always been there, driving transformations and breaking barriers. From the Industrial Revolution to the present day, they have played an essential role in the evolution of the sector.
Even though many names have been left out of the records, their contributions are undeniable. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, textile mills led the industrial revolution, and women were the basis of this operation – in many cases in precarious conditions and with unequal wages. Even so, they were protagonists in the mass production that accelerated the global economy1.
In addition to getting their hands dirty, these women also went to the fight for labor rights. Movements led by visionaries such as Clara Zetkin and Rosa Luxemburg have driven real change, paving the way for equal pay, better working conditions, and more opportunities in the industry.
But the female impact on the industry goes beyond the textile sector. Luigia Carolina Zanrosso Eberle, known as Gigia Bandera, was a pioneer in metallurgy and the first woman to work as an entrepreneur in the body shop. His entrepreneurial vision led to the foundation of Metalúrgica Abramo Eberle, which became one of the largest companies in the sector in Brazil. His legacy is so resonant that the Union of Metallurgical Industries created the Gigia Bandera Metallurgical Merit Trophy, recognizing personalities who stand out in the area.
Today, the landscape is changing, but the mission remains: to ensure that women’s impact in the industry is recognized, valued, and amplified. A study by Deloitte (2025) reveals that women working in the manufacturing sector feel underrepresented. To attract more women to this market, factories will need to reshape their recruitment, retention, and professional development strategies.
Today's Manufacturing Industries
“In an industry 4.0 scenario, the presence of women in decision-making is vital, as it offers a diverse perspective, contributing to more complete and effective solutions, especially when we talk about large-scale productivity.”
This was the message of Renate Fuchs, Executive Director of Industry X, during the RADAR Reinvention Forum. On the occasion, she presented the Industry4Her Program, an initiative aimed at training women for leadership positions in the sector, reinforcing the importance of female inclusion for innovation and the advancement of the industry. In addition to Renate, other women are references for leadership in manufacturing:
Daniela Menique is the President of ABIQUIM (Brazilian Association of the Chemical Industry) and holds the position of President for Latin America of the Solvay Group. His career is marked by leadership positions in global chemical companies, standing out for the promotion of sustainable innovations and growth strategies in the Latin American region.
Liliana Aufiero is the President of Lupo, one of the leading companies in the Brazilian textile sector, known for its production of socks and underwear. Under his leadership, Lupo has invested in process modernization and market expansion, consolidating its position in the national and international market.
Vânia Nogueira de Alcantara Machado
Vânia Nogueira de Alcantara Machado is the President of Laboratório Aché, one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Brazil. She has been instrumental in expanding the company’s portfolio and implementing management practices that emphasize quality and innovation in the pharmaceutical industry.
Juliana Grizzi is the Director of Supply Chain at Cargill in Brazil. With a strong background in logistics and supply chain management, she has been leading initiatives to improve operational efficiency and sustainability in the company’s logistics processes in the country.
Rejane Souza is the Global Vice President of Innovation at Yara Brasil Fertilizantes. It plays a crucial role in developing innovative solutions for agriculture, aiming to increase productivity and sustainability in fertilizer use.
Nathalie De Gouveia is the CEO of Wella Company in Brazil. With extensive experience in the cosmetics sector, she has led the company in introducing new products and marketing strategies, reinforcing Wella’s presence in the Brazilian market.
Women in the field of Data Science
In recent years, Brazil has experienced significant growth in the participation of women in scientific production. Between 2008 and 2012, they were responsible for almost 70% of scientific publications (IPEA, 2020), which places the country as one of the largest in terms of female representation in this field. This figure reflects the growing importance of women in research and innovation, despite ongoing challenges in securing their visibility in leadership positions.
Over the last two decades, female participation in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) has advanced from 35% in 2002 to 45% in 2022, which represents a remarkable growth of 29% (CNN Brasil, 2024). This increase shows that more women are occupying spaces in these areas of high complexity. However, as the career progresses, the female presence decreases, especially in prominent positions, which indicates that there is still a long way to go to ensure equal opportunities at the top of the academic career.
In the Brazilian scenario, some women have stood out as pioneers and leaders in the field of science. Sônia Barbosa, for example, is a national reference in Artificial Intelligence (AI), being one of the first to research and apply AI in the country. Claudia Bauzer Medeiros, one of the leading experts in computer science in Brazil, contributes with essential research in the area of management and analysis of large volumes of data. Monalisa Cristina Moura dos Santos, a doctoral student at the Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), has her academic training focused on projects related to low-cost Artificial Intelligence models and system reliability, with a focus on industry. Her performance is an example of the importance of the female presence in the research and development of innovative technologies for the industrial sector, consolidating her role as a leader in scientific and technological advancement in Brazil.
While the growth is clear, the gender gap remains, especially in leadership positions and in more prestigious areas of science. To promote a more inclusive and equitable scientific environment, it is necessary to invest in policies that encourage and support women not only to enter the scientific field, but also to advance and occupy prominent positions. The future of science in Brazil depends on everyone’s engagement to ensure that women not only have space, but that they can also shine to their full potential.
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