The refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector is essential to food security, public health, and climate protection. Yet in Costa Rica, as in much of the world, it remains a male-dominated field although more technicians are needed. The new Gender Diagnosis – Costa Rica highlights why women remain significantly underrepresented in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector, the barriers they face, and what can be done to change this reality.
According to the report, women accounted for only 9.4% of graduates from RAC training programs and just 2.5% of the workforce of the sector between 2019 and 2023. The study was conducted on behalf of the environmental quality management department (DIGECA) by Rebeca Esquivel as part of the Kigali Implementation Plan (Project N°. 130738) and published in January 2025. These challenges are not unique to Costa Rica. Globally, women in technical fields often encounter similar obstacles. Interviews conducted by Elke Schimmel for the Green Cooling Initiative with engineers, trainers, and experts from Bangladesh, Colombia, and Kenya that were analyzed in the publication Females for Future: Women in the Cooling Sector (Ouvrira une nouvelle fenêtre)underscore this trend. While international experiences provide broader context, the Costa Rican case shows that these barriers are very real at the local level. From an early age, career choices are shaped by social norms and stereotypes, discouraging girls from pursuing technical fields such as refrigeration.
During education and training, women often feel isolated in male-dominated classrooms and workshops, and some report that facilities and support systems are not designed to meet their specific needs. Entering the workforce introduces further challenges. Employers may question women’s technical abilities or physical strength, limiting early-career opportunities. On the job, women may face subtle discrimination, exclusion from informal networks, and difficulties balancing professional and personal responsibilities. Even for those who persist, career progression is often constrained by the “glass ceiling,” with leadership roles largely dominated by men. Seemingly minor issues, like fitting working clothes and shoes are becoming a problem and a challenge for women entering and working in technical fields.
“We always have to prove ourselves again and again, while men don’t face that constant scrutiny.”
Despite these barriers, the report also highlights promising developments. Institutions such as Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA) in Costa Rica have introduced gender policies, including flexible schedules and nursing rooms, while some companies now feature women in technical roles in recruitment campaigns—small but meaningful steps toward greater inclusion. The report’s recommendations are straightforward: implement gender-sensitive training programs, strengthen anti-harassment and psychosocial support mechanisms, improve facilities and working conditions, ensure equal pay and transparent hiring practices, and launch campaigns that challenge stereotypes while encouraging girls to pursue technical careers.
With the Gender Diagnosis baseline, projects like Greener Reefers can help and accelerate these changes. Through training and awareness initiatives, the project collaborates with institutions and communities to foster women’s inclusion in the cold chain sector. By promoting gender equality alongside sustainable practices, Greener Reefers ensures that the transition to greener refrigeration is both fair and inclusive.
As one participant puts it:
“We don’t want special treatment, just the same opportunities to prove what we can do.”
This sentiment captures the essence of the Costa Rica Gender Diagnosis and reminds us that the path toward greener reefers must also be a path toward equality.
Liens associés
- More about the Greener Reefers project (Ouvrira une nouvelle fenêtre)
