On Women's Day, Colombia reaches 43.4% of women in senior management, but only 13.2% lead as CEO
The report was prepared by the Academic Vice-Rector's Office of the University of San Buenaventura, Bogotá campus. Photo: iStock
TL;DR
- Colombia has 43.4% female participation in senior management, exceeding global (32.9%) and South American (37%) averages.
- Despite progress, women's access to strategic decision-making roles and executive presidencies is slow, with only 13.2% of companies having a female CEO.
- Female representation on the boards of directors of securities issuers reached 25.6% in 2025, though 18.6% of issuers still have no women on their boards.
- Companies increasingly view diversity policies as a driver of competitiveness rather than just a reputational matter.
- Structural factors in the labor market, such as the concentration of women in sectors like commerce and education, influence leadership development.
- Early-stage labor market inequalities persist, with women having lower employment rates (46.7% vs. 71.4%) and higher unemployment rates (11.4% vs. 7%) compared to men in 2025.