In Mexico, there are 32.3 female scientists for every 100 researchers: UNESCO

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) warns that although there is progress in gender equality, there is still a gap for women in science, since on a global scale it is estimated that on average of every 100 scientists, only 33 are researchers. In the case of Mexico, the figure is 32.3 female scientists for every hundred science experts.

Despite this, girls and young people are committed to developing scientific careers. In interview with The DayMia Lugo Viñalf, student of the Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology Engineering at Tecnológico de Monterrey, highlights that although the social consensus of the importance of women participating in science increases every day, she recognizes that achieving that goal is still more difficult for them than for men.

“Many young women of my generation know that we can be scientists, but it is not the same path as that followed by men. There are more challenges. We are told that advancing in science is like climbing a ladder, you go step by step, but for most women it goes in a zigzag and with obstacles,” she says.

Since I was a child, she adds, I always liked challenges. I was very attracted to mathematics and the more complex things in biology, that’s why I decided to study biotechnology engineering, because I’m also passionate about science. “And the truth is that I am very happy to see that in my generation, at least half of the students are women, because it is also important to do science, but with a woman’s perspective.”

Like Mia, many girls and young women dream of becoming scientists. Lorena, a fifth grade student in the Venustiano Carranza mayor’s office, would like to be a mechatronics engineer. “Ever since I can remember, I asked my parents to give me robots. I was very curious to know how they work, and I would love to design one,” he points out.

Rosa Ivette, 14 years old, says that when she finishes high school, she would like to go to high school at the National Polytechnic Institute to study physics-mathematics. Her dream is to be an astronomer and discover new galaxies.

“When I was younger, in my mother’s town you could see many stars at night, and I always asked her how many there were and how far away they were, but no one could answer me, so that made me very curious, and that’s how I liked studying what we can’t touch, because it’s very far away,” she points out.

Within the framework of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, which is commemorated every February 11, UNESCO highlights the importance of recognizing the key role of women in the scientific and technological community, as well as the need to make visible the gender inequality that women still face in these fields of knowledge.

He adds that “closing the gap is important not only for equity, but also for the quality, relevance and impact of science, technology and innovation”, so this year the theme is: From vision to impact: Redefining science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Closing the gender gap.