Manas.tech: ‘Rewarding to Promote Gender Equality’ at WomenHack Buenos Aires
Bringing Diversity Recruiting to South America
Argentine software company Manas.tech shared their experience at WomenHack Buenos Aires, reflecting on why participation matters and what they observed at the event. Their perspective offers insight into how WomenHack’s model works in the Latin American context.
As Martin Pettinati wrote on Medium:
“It was rewarding for Manas to be part of an initiative dedicated to promoting gender equality and women’s insertion in the job market.”
Why Participation Was “Rewarding”
Pettinati’s characterization of participation as “rewarding” suggests benefits beyond just recruiting outcomes. Participating in diversity initiatives can strengthen company culture, energize employees who value inclusion, and create meaningful experiences for participants. These intangible benefits complement the tangible goal of meeting qualified candidates.
His specific mention of “promoting gender equality” and “women’s insertion in the job market” shows awareness that these events serve purposes beyond any single company’s hiring needs. They’re part of a broader movement to create more equitable access to tech careers.
The Buenos Aires Event
Approximately 80 attendees gathered at Belatrix offices, despite the summer heat (January is mid-summer in Argentina). This turnout demonstrates significant interest in the Buenos Aires tech community for diversity-focused recruiting events.
The event combined elements of a job fair with WomenHack’s signature speed-dating format, creating a unique blend that allowed for both networking and focused conversations.
Latin America’s Growing Tech Scene
Buenos Aires has emerged as one of Latin America’s most important technology centers. The city benefits from a well-educated workforce, lower costs than North American or European hubs, and a time zone that overlaps with U.S. business hours. These factors have attracted both local startups and international companies seeking Latin American engineering talent.
However, like tech ecosystems worldwide, Buenos Aires faces challenges with gender diversity. Women remain underrepresented in technical roles, and the pipeline from education to employment has leaks at multiple stages. Events like WomenHack Buenos Aires help address these challenges by creating visibility and connections.
Manas.tech’s Perspective
Manas.tech is a custom software development company that works with clients to build software solutions. As a services company, they compete for talent against both product companies and other consultancies. Their ability to deliver quality work depends entirely on the quality of their team.
Participating in WomenHack allows them to access talent they might miss through traditional channels. Many qualified women may not respond to cold outreach or job postings but will attend events that feel welcoming and purposeful.
The “What We Saw” Perspective
Pettinati’s blog post title—”What We Saw and What We Have to Say About It”—suggests reflection beyond just recruiting metrics. The company observed the event, formed opinions, and chose to share them publicly. This kind of engaged participation, with public reflection, contributes to the broader conversation about diversity in tech.
By sharing their experience, Manas.tech helped validate the event for others who might be considering participation. Testimonials from participants build credibility for WomenHack’s model and encourage more companies and candidates to participate.
The Summer Heat Factor
The mention of summer heat (Buenos Aires in January can exceed 30°C/86°F) adds context that makes the turnout more impressive. Events that require people to leave air-conditioned homes or offices during a heat wave test genuine interest. The 80 attendees who showed up despite conditions demonstrated real commitment to the event’s purpose.
Building Momentum in Latin America
Events like WomenHack Buenos Aires build momentum for diversity in Latin American tech. Each successful event:
- Demonstrates demand from both candidates and employers
- Creates success stories that encourage future participation
- Builds networks among women in tech
- Raises expectations for inclusive hiring practices
Thank you, Manas.tech, for championing gender equality in Argentina’s tech scene and for sharing your experience so others can learn from it.