News
Critical Software at Web Summit: Empowering Women in Tech
For the ninth time, Portugal opened its doors to the Web Summit for its 16th edition, and Critical Software sent six of its tech women to take part in what is one of the world's biggest technology events.
Critical Software remains committed to empowering women in the technology sector and inspiring future generations.
Web Summit, which took place from November 11 to 14, brought together policymakers, heads of state, technology enthusiasts, and CEOs from some of the world’s leading technology companies and fast-growing startups. This was an ideal opportunity for anyone looking to grow in the tech world and make a significant impact on the sector, and we couldn’t miss it.
As part of our commitment to a more inclusive tech community, we offered six women the chance to participate in this event. For them, this was an excellent opportunity to “come back inspired to try to change the world,” as our Software Engineer, Ângela Neves, described it. It was also the perfect moment to “showcase women’s contributions to the tech industry and challenge stereotypes about gender roles,” as Daniela Domingues, Lead Engineer, emphasized.
Overall, the Web Summit proved to be the perfect space for growth and inspiration, as the number of women participants continues to rise year after year, creating a positive impact on the future of technology and promoting more innovative and inclusive solutions to global challenges.
Our Take in Empowering Women in Tech
As a technology company, we are committed to fostering greater participation of women in the tech industry and increasing the representation of women within Critical Software. Since 2021, when we employed approximately 220 women, we have witnessed a steady rise in female representation, reaching nearly 300 women by 2023 - approximately 24% of our total workforce. We remain dedicated to enhancing work-life balance and providing robust maternity leave policies to help maintain and grow the percentage of women in the sector year after year.
As we understand the deeper importance of continuing to raise these numbers, we also sponsor the Geek Girls Portugal Conference, an event that celebrates women in technology, through talks, workshops, as well as career and networking opportunities.
Why take all of these positive actions? Because we believe that when women take on leadership roles in technology, they become role models for future generations. This is particularly important in fields like science and technology, where female participation remains significantly low. Being a woman in tech can inspire young women to pursue careers in the sector, fostering a continuous cycle of empowerment.