The Civil Service reports that 134 institutions are led by women for the first time after winning public contests. Currently, 439 women hold directorial positions, representing 38% of the 1,164 active posts. This progress reflects efforts since 2022 to reduce gender gaps in public administration.
Chile's Civil Service has highlighted a milestone in gender equity within the High Public Management (ADP). This year, 106 women took up ADP positions, including figures like Verónica Encina, the new national defender, and Loreto Orellana, superintendent of Education. In total, 439 women lead services, regional or divisional heads, accounting for 38% of the 1,164 active senior executives nationwide.
This progress marks a significant step since the Civil Service's creation in 2004, which introduced public contests to select executives and open State opportunities. Notably, in 134 cases, women were appointed for the first time to head key institutions, such as the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels and the Superintendency of the Environment.
Alejandra Arriaza, the first national director of the National Customs Service, shared her journey: “I started in a regional direction... I always had the itch to seek greater responsibilities... I am the first national director of Customs in the Service's history, and while it's a milestone, it's also a tremendous responsibility. We always said we arrive, open the door, and leave it open for those who come”.
Marta Cabezas, the first superintendent of Electricity and Fuels, stressed the importance of applying: “Women have a self-bias when choosing to participate... The call is for them to dare. Women have the strength, confidence, and courage... There's no reason for a woman to withdraw from participating in society”.
Since 2022, the Civil Service has implemented measures like new digital outreach strategies, sensitization webinars, and a 10 UF incentive for recruitment firms advancing female candidates. This has raised women's applications from 30% in 2020 to 37% this year, the highest in the system's history. In lists including women, 54% of appointments go to them.
Pedro Guerra, national director of the Civil Service, emphasized: “The service... has had a crusade to foster women's participation in leadership roles. Although we can still improve, today 38% of ADP positions are held by women... We are convinced that equity is a value because diversity improves public management”.
Additionally, the +Women program has trained over 600 public servants, with nearly 10% accessing new leadership roles. Despite these gains, women account for only 14,000 of the 50,000 total applications, as they apply to an average of three calls compared to five for men.
