UTEPSA held two discussions on the situation of women in science. The first, on February 11, coincided with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The second was held on International Women’s Day.

Women in Science

The February 11 discussion focused on something that statistics confirm year after year: few girls and women choose careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Why is this? What can universities do? These were the questions that guided the discussion.

The discussion also touched on women already working in these fields. Many have solid careers, but their contributions are largely invisible outside their respective fields. The discussion served to bring them to the forefront and to raise a key point: if universities don’t open more doors, girls will continue to see themselves overlooked in science.

Violence, Caregiving, and the Gender Pay Gap

The second meeting was titled “Women and Persistent Inequalities: Violence, Caregiving, and Advancement Gaps.” Specialists from various institutions quantified three realities that affect women every day: gender-based violence, the disproportionate burden of domestic and caregiving tasks, and the obstacles they face in advancing their careers.

Students and faculty participated in the discussion. The data is there, and it is compelling. What is lacking, as became clear during the day, are policies that translate this data into real change.
Both discussions were held within the framework of the BRAVIOO project, an Erasmus+ initiative co-funded by the European Union. The project connects eleven universities in Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Honduras and is led by Carlos III University of Madrid. Its focus is on strengthening university ombudsman offices and the well-being of the academic community.