Women in high leadership positions at the Central Bank of Brazil

Abstract

This research identifies the professional challenges faced by women who have risen to high leadership positions at the Central Bank of Brazil. It is an exploratory qualitative research whose empirical data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 13 (thirteen) women who occupy high leadership positions in the bank. The data set was interpreted with the aid of the thematic categorization technique. The results indicate a series of manifestations of gender stereotypes in the institution, which contribute to configuring it as a potentially embarrassing, uncomfortable, and sometimes discouraging environment for women’s careers. Since there are reports that these manifestations occurred within the bank’s formal selection processes, this practice seems to be, at some level, rooted in the institution’s organizational culture. This research contributes to the understanding that the glass ceiling concept seems too simple to encompass all the nuances that interfere with the career path of women in the top leadership of public service. Finally, this article articulates reflections on the various barriers encountered by women who, despite the challenges encountered in a kind of professional labyrinth, managed to occupy high leadership positions in a Brazilian public institution.