News > Blog Article > How Women are Challenging the Culture …
It is a well-known (if slightly unfortunate) fact that men have traditionally been seen as the dominant presence in the global investment industry; research by efinancialcareers, for instance, shows that only 15% of traders in investment banks are women.
But men’s total input and success rate in the industry may have been somewhat exaggerated: a recent study by Financial Skills points out that female traders take fewer risks, break the rules less, and make more on average than their male counterparts. This more level-headed approach is also reflected in non-professional investment spheres: women are more likely to participate in long-term savings and diversified employer-backed retirement portfolios.
Latin America in particular is welcoming a new wave of female leaders and business professionals. Data from the International Labour Organization suggests that the Latin American workforce in general will reach an even 50/50 gender split in the next 20 years (by way of comparison, the current global percentage of women in the workforce stands at just 39%). This is important because Latin American women represent 67% of purchases in the region, meaning that they might be in a better position to understand the markets they invest in.
Women have become integral players in the Latin American investment industry in particular: the Latin American Private Equity & Venture Capital Association (LAVCA) recently published its list of top female investors in the region – on it are names such as Jana Boltvinik, founder of Capital Invent, a new VC fund in Mexico, and Susana Garcia-Robles, one of the main architects of FOMIN Multilateral Investment Fund and a member of over 20 boards of directors of venture capital funds. Latin America is also the home of WeXchange, a platform dedicated to connecting female entrepreneurs with investors and mentors, offering guidance, research and information, and an annual forum attended by just under 950 entrepreneurs and investors.
As the global market strives to close the gender gap, female investors and financial professionals will be essential for leading the way into a new, more balanced economy. In Latin America the movement is already well underway; but with yet more funds available and more entrepreneurial endeavours appearing, there are likely even more exciting developments on the way.
Women are also playing an integral role at Bricksave, as per our recent conversation with Sofia Goncedo, COO of Bricksave.
Investing carries risks, including loss of capital and illiquidity. Please read our Risk Warning before investing.
