Análisis de la experiencia femenina en cargos gerenciales altos y medios en empresas de comercio al por menor en la ciudad de Quito

Abstract

This research explores the experience of women in senior and middle management positions in various business sectors in Quito. The objective is to understand the challenges and opportunities these women face in their professional development. Gender equity in the workplace is not only a matter of social justice, but also brings significant benefits to companies, improving decision-making and fostering innovation. The survey reveals surprising data: 60% of women have not experienced gender discrimination, which could be attributed to their strong attachment to the company. However, the remaining 40% have faced discrimination, such as being ignored in meetings, unequal pay and being assigned administrative rather than strategic tasks. In addition, nearly 60% of respondents perceive a marked gender pay gap, and less than 40% have had access to mentoring and career development programmes, representing a missed opportunity for many talented women.Despite these barriers, many women have adopted effective strategies to advance their careers. Thirty per cent use networking, 26 per cent participate in mentoring programmes and 42 per cent seek additional training. Support from superiors is critical: 33% receive mentoring, 26% access leadership opportunities and 36% receive additional training. Recommendations to improve gender equity include implementing equal pay policies 45%, mentoring programmes 37% and gender bias training 18%. The results show a positive impact of women's representation in decision-making: 61% describe it as very positive, 23% as positive, 10% as neutral and only 4% as negative. In addition, 81% believe that gender diversity has improved organisational culture and 80% believe that the inclusion of women in leadership positions has positively influenced business performance. Ultimately, although women in management roles in Quito face significant barriers, many adopt effective strategies to overcome them, thereby improving decision-making and organisational culture. These findings underscore the vital importance of promoting gender equity in business.