Monica Monteiro, BRICS WBA Global Chair
The recent study by the Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services (MDIC), titled “Women in Foreign Trade – An analysis for Brazil,” released in March 2025, reveals significant data about female participation in the Brazilian foreign trade sector. The document highlights some important advances but also points out significant challenges that still need to be addressed.
According to the study, there was an increase in female participation in exporting companies, rising from 29.2% to 31.8%, and importing companies, from 32.5% to 34.7%. However, only 14.5% of exporters have a female majority in their corporate structure, and only 2% of Brazil’s total exports come from companies led by women. These numbers, despite representing progress, demonstrate that there is still ample room for greater gender equity in foreign trade. In the domestic market, the growth in female participation was more modest, going from 40% to 40.6%. Notably, about 3 million women were working in exporting or importing companies in 2022, showing the potential of women in the sector.
It is a fact that foreign trade companies pay higher salaries to women compared to the domestic market; nevertheless, salary disparities are evident, with women earning between 23% and 27% less than men. In executive roles, the salary gap is smaller in foreign trade (26%) compared to the domestic market (53%). Moreover, only 22.5% of women occupy leadership positions in exporting companies and 22.6% in importing companies, in contrast to 38.6% in companies focused on the domestic market.
“She Exports”
To reverse this situation, the MDIC, in partnership with ApexBrasil, launched the program “She Exports,” aimed at encouraging female entrepreneurship in exports. The program joins initiatives from the National Confederation of Industry, CNI, which promotes business rounds, and CMEC, which trains and provides information through CECIEX.
The relationship between public and private agents should not be seen as opposing sides but as part of a unit aiming at Brazil’s comprehensive development. As the CNI emphasizes, the state will always be a partner in any private initiative—regulating, encouraging, overseeing, and often investing. The state is present before, during, and after the business, whether creating an environment or demanding returns. Thinking that businesses and government are forces that confront each other is anachronistic. They complement each other, shape one another, and need to walk in synergy. When one of them rows against, the country stagnates. When both listen to and align with each other, Brazil accelerates, reaching further. Although progress has been made, there is still a long way to go to ensure gender equity in Brazilian foreign trade.
The inclusion of women in business is the theme of the WBA, the Women’s Business Alliance of BRICS, which I lead globally in 2025. In July, in Rio de Janeiro, our Business Forum, in partnership with the BRICS Business Council, both secretariats by CNI, will be a focal point for ideas and collective constructions aiming at expanding spaces for fair and equitable synergy and sustainable development. Registration is open and can be done by companies and Brazilian and foreign citizens. An opportunity to mobilize all involved actors to unite for a more inclusive future.
To access the complete study, visit: MDIC Study
To register for the BRICS Business Forum in July, in Rio de Janeiro, visit: BRICS Business Forum
