Women in STEM, Experiences of Mexican Women Scientists

Abstract

From a gender perspective, it is important to recognize that sexual differences are distinguished from social constructions based on these differences and, like stereotypes, are learned and transmitted culturally and where, historically, women have gone from exclusion to segregation in the field of science and their contributions to scientific knowledge. Even today, women still constitute a minority in training and professional itineraries in the scientific-technical field. Therefore, a study was oriented to make visible through a transversal analysis, to understand the different forms of discrimination, harassment and violence against women in the scientific field. For this purpose, a data treatment was carried out, such as the self-perception of discrimination and violence, in a measurable way, as well as the domestic chores, where it was observed the tendency of particular tasks such as the support with the children continues to be a task of greater proportion for women, which gives space to the exercise of motherhood and the labor and social discrimination itself. Finally, there were anonymous testimonies of discrimination and violence, from the voice of women scientists. Thus, while recognizing the work of numerous institutions, civil associations, the creation of instruments and departments in universities on gender issues and women's own self-recognition, we know that the task that remains pending is to address from the initial stage of school, the visualization of girls in science, the elimination of barriers that are socially and culturally present, breaking those gender roles and stereotypes that interfere in their training, so that science is neutral, without sex and/or gender, and on equal terms.