Gender and Leadership in Brazil – a Study on Women in Management Positions

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine women in management positions in the Brazilian labor market, focusing on perception of their working condition but also challenges in a culture dominated by machismo and stereotypes. The data was conducted from a qualitative approach with a mix of snowball and convenience sample, by interviewing eight women with staff responsibilities in a wide range of sectors and branches. The result section revealed that the Brazilian society is characterized by a conservative approach and machismo, which create barriers for women to enter higher positions such as management.The combination of women being associated with household, caregiving and motherhood together with being submissive to men, reduces the chances to establish themselves in the labor market. However, the majority of the female leaders stated differences between male and female leadership, based on traditional ways of being leaders due to stereotypes.Although there are several aspects that create obstacles for women, there was one that stood out from the others, the sector they were employers in. Half of the participants worked in the private sector and the remaining half in the public one. Wishing for a life with family and improved working conditions could be achieved in the public sector and was highly unlikely in the private sector. These obstacles that women have to face and overcome make it hard to balance a career with a personal life.