Canary Islands Pushes Women into Tech, Metal for Competitiveness
A conference in the Canary Islands, part of the "Femete en femenino" project, focused on encouraging women to enter and lead in male-dominated industries like metal and new technologies to boost economic competitiveness and close the gender gap.
A recent conference in the Canary Islands focused on encouraging women to work in important industries like metal and new technologies. This is seen as vital for businesses to stay competitive and innovative. The event is part of the "Femete en femenino" project, which receives funding from the Canary Islands Government's Vice-Ministry of Equality and Diversity. The project aims to close the gender gap and help women take on leadership roles in fields traditionally dominated by men.
The conference brought together leaders from government and business. Attendees included María Candelaria Delgado Toledo, Minister of Social Welfare and Equality, and Juan Antonio Jiménez Arranz, president of Femete. Also present were Antonia María García Gutiérrez, deputy director of CIFP La Laguna, along with teachers, students, and other key industry figures. Organizers stressed that fully including women's talent isn't just about fairness; it's also crucial for economic growth and strategic development. Minister Delgado also spoke, emphasizing how important government policies are for creating equal opportunities and breaking down stereotypes from a young age.
A key part of the conference was a panel discussion. Top professionals like María Luisa de Arcos, Patricia Araceli Barroso, Lidia Paola Padilla, and Vanessa Domínguez shared their experiences and the difficulties they faced in their technical careers. They highlighted the importance of ongoing training, self-confidence, and resilience as essential for career growth. They also encouraged younger generations to choose their careers freely, without being limited by societal expectations.
Désirée Brito and Dácil Lorenzo presented the "Femete en femenino" project, which offers practical tools to help achieve these goals. These tools include a virtual guide with over seventy resources for women entrepreneurs. There's also a platform with interactive dashboards and AI tools to boost productivity, plus a game called "Who is she?" that highlights inspiring women. The project also promotes mentoring programs, pairing experienced businesswomen with young female entrepreneurs. The conference concluded with a session called "Mentor in Violet," which reaffirmed Femete's dedication to creating a more inclusive and fair industry.