Breaking Down Barriers: Women Claim 28% of Top Secretarial Roles in the Country

Paula Laboissière, Agência Brasil

Only 28% of secretarial positions in Brazilian state governments and capitals are occupied by women, a total of 341 secretaries throughout the country. The data is from the first Census of Secretariesunder guidance Aleias InstitutesAlziras, Foz and Travessia Public Policieswith support from the Lemann Foundation and Open Society Foundations.

The census mapped 698 state bodies and 536 municipal bodies and considered secretaries who held positions between November 2023 and March 2024. During this period, only one capital, Natal, and three states, Alagoas, Pernambuco and Ceará, and achieved gender equality. On the other hand, 20 states and 16 capitals did not reach 30% women in their secretariat.

The study shows that more women are present in social portfolios in states (53%) and in capitals (44%). However, their participation is in areas considered strategic, such as infrastructure (22% in states and 18% in capitals), central bodies (18% in both) and the economy (15% in states and 30% in capitals ), is still limited.

“The concentration of women in sectors such as social support, health and education – areas of high visibility and budget – reflects the phenomenon of horizontal segregation, which limits women’s access to fields related to technology, mathematics and engineering, by reinforcing gender stereotypes”, the entities were evaluated on a note.

The inclusion of a racial self-declaration in the questionnaire allowed a survey of the racial profile of women holding secretarial positions. The numbers show that 57.4% of the secretaries who responded to the form stated that they were white; 37.8%, as black or mixed race; 3%, as indigenous people; and 2%, as yellow.

High qualification

The survey reveals that 43% of secretaries have some sort of expertise; 26% have a master’s degree and 10% have completed a doctorate. Among black women, this qualification is even higher: 44% have a specialization and 32% a master’s degree.

Furthermore, 66% of secretaries have 21 years or more of professional experience and 61% have spent the majority of their careers in the public sector, with 67% already working in the sector before taking on the role of secretary.

Investigating the organizational spaces covered by these women, the survey noted that 40% of the professionals came from another department and 33% from the same department, which shows progress within the Executive itself .

“The lower proportion with experience in executive functions outside the secretariats and in legislative positions suggests that experience in direct administration is an important factor for promotion to a higher position”, the entities assessed.

First season

Despite the trajectory, the census shows that 50% of these women hold the position of secretary for the first time, “which may suggest a recent phenomenon of women entering these positions, even to the those with high qualifications and extensive experience”.

“The organizations analyse, although women are the majority (61%) at the bottom of the public services pyramid, they face structural obstacles to reach positions of greater power and decision-making.”

Disability and political activism

Another fact raised is the underrepresentation of women with disabilities, as only 1.3% or three secretaries state that they are disabled. In terms of political participation, almost half have some connection to a party and one in five has been a party leader.

According to the census, 23% of self-declared black secretaries mentioned the influence of feminist activism in their career, compared to 9.8% of white secretaries. 17.2% of black women reported participation in other social movements, while 25% of white women said they had not participated in any of these groups and movements.

“These data suggest that black women face more structural barriers and, therefore, that previous experiences of training and political participation stimulate their promotion to leadership positions”, highlighted the entities.

Career

When asked about their intentions to continue in the public sector, 77% of the secretaries responded that they intended to continue working with public policies. However, only 17% expressed an interest in running for elected office in the future, while 57% do not intend to do so and 26% are still undecided.

Recommendations

Considering the scenario, the organizations listed recommendations such as:

– creating a gender equality law in secretariats;

– deepening research into the relationship between secretaries and political parties;

– mapping current government structures to support women in senior positions;

– create a support network to share challenges and good practices;

– develop mechanisms to monitor their routes.

The second phase of the census, scheduled for November, will bring data on domestic work and political violence based on gender and race, as well as presenting a final analysis of the challenges faced by women in leadership positions in the sector public.

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