The Relevance of Women Interested in Science

Despite the progress made over the last few decades, in Mexico and around the world, women continue to be underrepresented in science. According to UNESCO data from 2019, the average global rate of female researchers was only 29.3%, and this gender gap only widens as women advance in their careers.1

Social barriers, cultural barriers, idiosyncrasies, uses and customs of some peoples, gender biases, and stereotypes are among the factors that deter women from pursuing science-related professions.

Bringing science closer to society is critical to ensure that people have the necessary knowledge to make professional, personal, and political choices, as well as to attract citizens to the stimulating world of research.

Gender stereotypes, symbolic representations of what women should and shouldn’t be, assumptions that “women can’t do that kind of work;” “women should put family first;” and “that field is for men,” among others, are what act against this engagement with science. It is precisely against these stereotypes that we must fight.

World Science Day for Peace and Development is an annual event celebrated every Nov. 10 to recall the commitment made at the 1999 World Conference on Science held in Budapest under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Council for Science (ICSU).2

The purpose of this day is to renew the commitment to science for peace and development and to stress the responsible use of science for the benefit of societies for the eradication of poverty. World Science Day also seeks to raise public awareness of the importance of science and to bridge the gap between science and society.

At AMIIF, we are committed to breaking down barriers and reducing gender gaps, which is why we created the Mujeres Con Ciencia (Women with Science) campaign, which explores the inspiring stories of accomplished women in the biopharmaceutical industry.

Through these accounts of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic (STEM) disciplines, we seek to increase the number of women identifying with certain areas of study, and in this way counteract stereotypes.

We are convinced that more information about the future of the work and challenges to be resolved will make it possible to build more inclusive societies where young women are encouraged to follow their vocation, develop new skills, and contribute their talent.

Science is the tool that humans have created both to understand the world around them and to apply that knowledge to their benefit. Scientific advances allow us to find solutions to new economic, social and environmental challenges with which to build a sustainable future. Science also plays a role in constructing peace by fostering international cooperation to achieve sustainable development.

Despite appearing as a right for a long time, science has been little explored as such. The need to develop this aspect is especially relevant in these times where movements denying knowledge and evidence are gaining strength, and where fake science or dubious science is beginning to be a threat. In times where scientific and technological advances have an increasingly greater health, political, ethical, social, and environmental impact, every person must be able to have the necessary tools to take advantage of the advancement of science and technology for their benefit and that of society.

As it has done every year, the United Nations proposes a theme for this day, and in 2023, the theme was building trust in science.

It is trust in science that drives the development and application of evidence-based solutions to our world’s multifaceted challenges. In addition, trust allows us to change how science is perceived by society and to break down barriers to make it inclusive and equitable.
In this context, it is essential to recognize the importance of the role of science and scientists in creating sustainable societies.

At AMIIF, we seek to reaffirm the importance of more women choosing science-related careers, which is why we have created this space where colleagues from our associated companies share why they chose the path of science and the accomplishments they have achieved.

We invite you to explore their stories, their struggles, and their commitments so that all girls, adolescents, and women can, if they wish, pursue their vocation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Generating knowledge and understanding through science can allow us to find solutions to today’s serious economic, social, and environmental problems, achieving sustainable development and more inclusive and harmonious societies.

Commemorating World Science Day for Peace and Development on Nov. 10 represents the ideal opportunity to reflect upon the importance of working against all those factors that perpetuate gaps in STEM careers, including gender stereotypes, social, economic, and cultural aspects, as well as the barriers that girls encounter from their earliest education.

You can read their stories here. 

1. Avances de las mujeres en la ciencia - available at: Ciencia UNAM

2. https://www.un.org/es/observances/world-science-day