Are we doing enough to have more female scientists?

It is a relatively new celebration and probably not many know about. Since 2015, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed February 11 to be the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. The reason: to promote greater access and participation of both groups in the scientific field, pointing towards gender equality.

Although STEM careers (an acronym that refers to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, in English) have become fundamental for the economies of countries, the male presence continues to be predominant. According to United Nations figures, women receive more modest research grants than their male counterparts.

Efforts

The situation of the last few days has been interesting, at least for me. I have received from different institutions, organizations and private companies a good number of emails alluding to date, with more than interesting data: companies closely related to research sharing the stories of collaborators with important positions in scientific topics; private universities sharing stories of its outstanding professors and alumni who have managed to excel in their respective fields; technology companies that They celebrate the massive participation of female schoolchildren who participate in innovation programs; or even a representative higher education center for the country, such as the National University of Engineering (UNI), communicating that 16% of its total students are made up of women; among many other advertisements.

But are these efforts really enough? Personally, I find them very commendable; However, they give the impression that

It may sound like a joke, but with other programs that allow obstacles to be overcome for those who finally decide to follow the path of science.

It is logical that it is thought that our country is going through more important problems, so issues like these can wait. Nevertheless, It is that type of approach that continues to distance us from progress.

There are plenty of examples regarding , and several years later they are more than reaping what they sowed.

I continue to think – wishfully, perhaps – that soon some authority will arrive who is sufficiently convinced and has the necessary courage to turn Peru into a country that is committed to science. So, Men and women will have the same opportunities and support to dedicate themselves to science, to develop their research and to get the country off the ground.