The Need for Equity, Bridging Gender Gap in the Chemical Sector

Despite the many advances that have been made in terms of inclusion, the reality is that there are careers and professions that are mostly dominated by men. This is the case in sectors like automotive, banking, technology, construction, engineering, medicine and even research because in the collective unconscious they are associated with the male figure.

According to INEGI's most recent Employment and Occupation Indicators, the Economically Active Population (EAP) in Mexico was 59.5 million people, of whom  75.7 percent were men and 45.3 percent were women. This demonstrates  that the labor market is characterized by employing more men than women. 

Today, there are many companies and organizations that are striving to reverse these figures, although much remains to be done to promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). It does little  to talk about DEI if actions are not carried out to integrate it and generate value for companies. 

Including diversity and inclusion strategies in businesses generates a positive social impact and builds a favorable reputation among stakeholders, in addition to attracting and retaining talent. 

There is still much work to be done, especially if we take into account that Mexico is among the countries with the lowest presence of women on boards of directors, below the average of member countries (28 percent) of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

According to data from the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), which together with the IPADE Business School analyzed 182 companies in the capital and debt markets listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange (BMV) and the Institutional Stock Exchange (BIVA), it was perceived that as the hierarchical level within companies increases, the representation of women decreases, although the figures are steadily improving  due to the awareness that having a greater diversity of talent in leadership positions leads to more equitable working conditions while inclusion in decision-making triggers greater innovation and better financial performance for companies.

According to these same figures, if the current trend continues, gender parity will be achieved by 2057 on the boards of directors of companies listed on the stock market. With this in mind, manufacturers and suppliers to the paints, inks and coatings industry are taking action to further promote both aspects.

We are also making efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the National Association of Paint and Ink Manufacturers (Anafapyt) so that more and more women are integrated not only into high-level management positions but also into leadership positions throughout the production and distribution chain of our products. 

Today, and after more than 70 years, the general management of Anafapyt is led by a woman, Flor de María González; in addition, three women hold key positions on the board of directors. However, it is necessary to increase this figure, not only within the Association, but also in the paint and coatings industry, which currently employs 12,732 people and generates sales of MX$69.75 billion (US$3.5 billion), while the ink segment employs 2,075 workers and generates revenues of MX$8.1 billion (US$417 billion).

Mexico's central region is where the country’s largest labor force is employed. Unlike  the concentration of industries, the northeast region hired more workers than the west and lowlands. The rest of the regions in Mexico employ only 6 percent of the paint labor force, while in the case of inks, the highest employment of personnel is in the State of Mexico, with 36 percent of the total employed in 2021. Jalisco is the second-most important entity, and after Mexico City and Hidalgo, all other entities only have a single-digit share.

Taking into account that the paint and coatings industry accounted for 7.24 percent of chemical industry GDP in 2021, which generated a total GDP of MX$263.07 billion (US$13.5 billion), and that it is a rapidly growing sector, there are many opportunities for more and more women to join and occupy various positions. 

According to data provided by DataMÉXICO, for the second quarter of 2021, the employed population in the chemical industry in Mexico was 377,000 people, of which 68.3 percent were men and 31.7 percent were women. Of the total employed population, 88.7 percent were formal workers, with a monthly salary of MX$5,950 (US$306), while 11.3 percent corresponded to informal workers, according to the National Occupation and Employment Survey (ENOE).

Thus, there is still a long way to go to close the gap and equalize these indicators, especially because this industry serves 96 percent of the manufacturing sector, according to data from Oxford Business Group. However, this starts with education. In the 2021-2022 school year at UNAM, the number of applicants to enter the industrial chemistry degree program totaled 440. The number of places available for this program was 110, meaning that  1 out of every 3 students who applied for the program was admitted. Thirty-nine percent of the total number of first-time students were women and 61% were men.

The progress in the representation of women in scientific or technological areas continues to be limited, unlike in other sectors. That is why it is important to work together as an industry and society to open up much more space for them and achieve true equity and recognition of their contributions.