Closing the Gender Gap in Science and Technology

Mexico enters 2026 facing one of its most significant challenges for economic development: fully integrating women into scientific and technological fields. At a time when innovation and digitalization are redefining global competitiveness, the low presence of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) is not only a persistent inequality, but also an economic and strategic loss for the country.

The gap is clearly documented. According to UNESCO, only 35% of students enrolled in STEM programs in Mexico are women, and their participation drops even further in fields such as mechanical engineering, information technologies, or pure mathematics, where it can fall below 20%. INEGI, through the National Survey of Occupation and Employment, reports that women represent barely 30% of the workforce in technology sectors, and their presence in scientific leadership positions is even smaller. In research, according to the National System of Researchers (SNI), women comprise just over 38%, but their representation is uneven: concentrated in biological and health sciences, while engineering remains predominantly male.

These figures are not just statistics; they describe a structural barrier that limits the country’s productive potential. The OECD has documented that increasing women’s participation in STEM drives productivity, accelerates innovation, and supports economic growth. Countries with greater female integration in technology show faster progress in digitalization, automation adoption, and intellectual property development. Mexico, by contrast, risks losing competitiveness in key industries for its future, including artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, electromobility, and clean energy.

Breaking Paradigms in Gender Roles

The gender gap in STEM is complex because it begins long before women enter the workforce. According to OECD data, girls in Mexico score similarly to boys in mathematics during primary and middle school, but their interest in scientific careers drops sharply in high school. This disconnect between talent and vocational direction is driven by gender biases, lack of role models, limited exposure to scientific experiences, and an educational system that does not sufficiently encourage female participation in engineering and technology. The result is a gradual abandonment pipeline that becomes visible in university enrollment, employment, and leadership positions.

Inequality persists even when women do enter technological sectors. Female talent faces greater challenges in accessing decision-making roles, securing funding for tech entrepreneurship, or participating in high-impact research projects. A study by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) shows that women-led companies in technology across Latin America receive significantly lower investment and financing. This exclusion limits not only the potential of women, but also the capacity of national innovation ecosystems.

Economically, the gap carries a clear cost. The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that the full economic inclusion of women could increase Latin America’s GDP by up to 14% by 2030. While this figure applies to the region, the implication for Mexico is direct: without women in science and technology, the country cannot fully leverage the historic window of opportunity represented by nearshoring, supply-chain relocation, and the transition toward more digital and sustainable economies.

Facing this reality, 2026 must be the year in which Mexico takes a strategic turn to close the STEM gap. This is not merely about correcting a historical debt, it is about securing the nation’s economic future. To achieve this, I propose four strategic lines of action:

1. Early education to eliminate bias at its root

The development of female STEM talent must begin in primary school, not in university. Mexico needs educational programs that integrate scientific methods, mathematical thinking, and digital skills from early ages, supported by materials free of stereotypes. It is also essential to highlight women scientists, engineers, and technologists as real role models for girls and adolescents. International evidence is clear: without visible role models, vocational interest does not persist.

2. A national network of scholarships, mentorship, and support for young women

The country needs mechanisms that facilitate access and retention of women in scientific fields: targeted scholarships, formal mentorship programs, early research opportunities, professional internships, and university–industry alliances to ensure smooth transitions into the workforce. Mentorship is particularly powerful; women with guidance and accompaniment are up to twice as likely to remain in STEM, according to the American Association of University Women.

3. Labor inclusion policies in strategic sectors

Companies can accelerate the reduction of gender gaps by integrating equitable hiring processes, work–life balance policies, professional development pathways, and mechanisms for female retention. Diversity is not just an ethical principle: studies by Deloitte show that tech companies with greater female inclusion are more innovative and adapt better to disruptive markets. Including more women in technology directly strengthens industrial competitiveness and national development.

4. Innovation ecosystems where women participate in design and decision-making

Mexico needs research centers, tech hubs, public programs, and investment funds where women have meaningful — not symbolic — participation. Innovation grows when diverse perspectives are included in designing solutions. Excluding women means losing essential viewpoints for solving national challenges, from mobility to clean energy.

Closing the gender gap in science and technology is not an isolated social objective; it is a fundamental requirement for Mexico to compete in the knowledge economy. The country has the talent, global demand, and a unique historical opportunity. What remains is the will to act. 2026 can be the year Mexico places women at the center of the scientific and technological transformation the country urgently needs.