STEM: Gender perspective in Mexico

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E12 - Gender strategies in informal science learning environments STEM: Gender perspective in Mexico LOURDES PATIÑO BARBA Secretary of the Board, SOMEDICYT (Mexican Society for the Public

1 E12 - Gender strategies in informal science learning environments STEM: Gender perspective in Mexico LOURDES PATIÑO BARBA Secretary of the Board, SOMEDICYT (Mexican Society for the Public Communication of Science and Technology) JULIA TAGÜEÑA PARGA Associate Director for Scientific Development, CONACYT (National Council of Science and Technology) March 18, 2014 / 11:15 a.m.

2 The contribution of women to the productive sphere in Latin America Labour force in Latin America (World Bank, 2012): Women force has increased 15 % Reducing extreme poverty by 30 %. There are still many inequities in salaries and opportunities, specially in higher-income jobs.

3 The contribution of women to the productive sphere in Mexico In Mexico, in the last 30 years: Women in paid work outside home increased by 400 %. However, in most jobs women earn less income than men. The extreme situation is in industrial jobs (a traditionally male sector), where women receive 76.6% of the income earned by men. Other facts (2011): Women Men Paid work 36 % 68 % Participation in household chores 75 % 24 % Caring for others 91 % 9 %

4 Women in science, technology and the innovation sector in Mexico Emergence of women with college training: st Physician 1 st Lawyer 1 st Chemical Engineer 1 st Dentist 1 st Biologist Women vote and can be voted 1 st Physicist Nowadays, in the Mexican Academy of Science: Exact Sciences total membership Natural Sciences Social Sciences Women Humanities 14.8 % 26.6 % 33.2 % 52.4 % Source: AMC, FCCYT and NATURE

Women in science, technology and the innovation sector in Mexico In the last 20 years, the number of women studying science has multiplied almost 11 times.

5 Women in science, technology and the innovation sector in Mexico In the last 20 years, the number of women studying science has multiplied almost 11 times. Over 22 years the proportion of women in the National System of Researchers has increased from 21% to 35%. At the highest level of the National System of Researchers only 22 % are women (2012). In 15 years, the proportion of women studying PhD with scholarships has increased by 32%. Also, 32% of international fellowships have been awarded to women (September, 2013). 39% of the publishers of Mexican research journals are women.

characteristics associated with the "feminine "(subjective and emotional).

6 Social perception of science, technology, engineering and math objective Science rational logical Features associated with "masculine", as opposed to characteristics associated with the "feminine "(subjective and emotional). Social perception of lower capacity in women to work in scientific research and technological development.

Subtle barriers The term glass ceiling refers to subtle forms of some discriminatory social mechanisms that hinder the professional development of

Social Men do not accept the role of women. Envy and rivalry from other women. High rating of masculine" traits and devaluation of "women" at work.

7 Subtle barriers The term glass ceiling refers to subtle forms of some discriminatory social mechanisms that hinder the professional development of women. The glass ceiling acts in the personal and in the social, institutional, political and economic contexts. Social Men do not accept the role of women. Envy and rivalry from other women. High rating of masculine" traits and devaluation of "women" at work. Stereotypes about women s competence. C Personal Insecurity to make decisions. Imitation at work of "masculine" traits and devaluation of feminine. Appropriated cultural prejudices.

Conflicts between personal, family and working life Women have entered the labour market under the previously existing rules, introduced by the social logic that the one who works plays a role of

8 Conflicts between personal, family and working life Women have entered the labour market under the previously existing rules, introduced by the social logic that the one who works plays a role of provider, but not other roles. Women have aspirations, social mandates and conflicting desires: a career without giving up marrying, motherhood and having a family. live with discomfort, anxiety, and feelings of personal inadequacy: Several overlapping roles Conflict of time. Workload (domestic and extra-domestic). Guilt for attending labor to the detriment of the family.

9 Conflicts between personal, family and working life In the existing social order, women must maintain a balance between their personal and professional roles, while going to work outside home : Professional sphere Personal sphere Work hours Overtime Work trips Job training Commuting to work Family: Parenting Dependent care (parents, etc.). Housework Personal care Economy / Home management Family recreation Leisure: Sport Culture Entertainment Citizen participation Education and training Source: Institute for Women in Madrid (2010)

10 Conflicts between personal, family and working life The scientific career stage often coincides with the childbearing years. Female scientists often face a dilemma between meeting job expectations for career advancement and fulfill their aspirations and needs as mothers. In this context, women have less effective time than their male colleagues, to atttend their professional development.

Science communication and non-formal education with a gender perspective in Latin America Several initiatives have addressed the issue of gender in activities and programmes of non-formal education

11 Science communication and non-formal education with a gender perspective in Latin America Several initiatives have addressed the issue of gender in activities and programmes of non-formal education and science communication in Latin America, for example: Books and articles on women scientists Difusion activities on awarded female researchers (Nobel, L'Oreal-UNESCO and other awards) Information on the web about women in science Panel sessions with women researchers

) Inclusive images Science clubs specifically aimed to girls and housewives Panels on gender outreach in conferences (2003 and

12 Science communication and non-formal education with a gender perspective in Latin America Using inclusive language in science communication (balancing the masculine and the feminine in exhibitions, lectures, texts, etc.) Inclusive images Science clubs specifically aimed to girls and housewives Panels on gender outreach in conferences (2003 and 2013 Red Pop Meetings) Annual Conferences "Women in Science" However, such actions have been disarticulated. THERE IS NO A STRATEGY shared by several institutions.

13 Proposals to reduce the gender gap in STEM To influence and resolve at in institutional level the conflicts between personal, family and work life (universities, research centers, science centers, etc.). Strategies and actions taken by researchers, science centres and science communicators to influence the social imaginary about STEM, in order to make visible women working in these fields, for example: Widely communicate success stories of women in STEM Inclusive communication (oral, written and graphical), calling attention to women as agents of the scientific production, and highlight their contribution Creating opportunities for children and young people to think and reflect about gender and career choice; as well as about the use of time of men and women in productive and domestic spheres

14 Institutional Actions in Mexico The National Development Plan outlines actions to achieve a society with gender equality and inclusion, that ensure the welfare of people with disabilities, indigenous people, children and the elderly. It includes several cross-cutting strategies, among which gender equality. In June 2013, eleven years after the enacting of the Law on Science and Technology, the Mexican Congress amended four articles in order to promote gender equality through fair and non -discriminatory participation of men and women in scientific research and technology. National Council of Science and Technology AFIRMATIVE ACTIONS: Postgraduate scholarships for indigenous women Academic scholarship programme for single mothers In pregnancy, women researchers have an extra year to renew their status in the National System of Researchers Different age limits for applying to young researchers prizes (40 for men, 43 for women).

15 Thank you! LOURDES PATIÑO BARBA Secretary of the Board, SOMEDICYT (Mexican Society for the Public Communication of Science and Technology)

16 Sources and references Banco Mundial (2012). The efecto of women s economic power in Latin America and Caribbean. Washington, DC, USA. The World Bank. Banco Mundial. (2011, Octubre 24). América latina: más mujeres tienen empleo pero no facilidades para balancear demandas del hogar. Recuperado desde: SPPAISES/LACINSPANISHEXT/0,,contentMDK: ~pagePK: ~piPK:146830~theSitePK:489669,00.html Belausteguigoitia, M., & Belausteguigoitia, I. (2013). Las mujeres ejecutivas y el techo de cristal. Unpublished manuscript, Programa Universitario de Estudios de Género (UNAM) y el Centro de Desarrollo de la Empresa Familiar (ITAM), Recuperado desde: INEGI (2011). Mujeres y hombres en México. Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía. Recuperado desde: s/integracion/sociodemografico/mujeresyhombres/2011/myh2011.pdf

17 Sources and references INEGI (2013). Censo de Población y vivienda [en línea] Recuperado desde: &s=est INEGI (2013). Encuesta Nacional de Ocupación y Empleo. Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía. Recuperado desde: egulares/enoe/default.aspx Instituto de la Mujer. Secretaría General de Políticas de Igualdad, Ministerio de Igualdad. (2010). Guía de buenas prácticas para promover la conciliación de la vida personal, familiar y profesional desde las entidades locales de Epaña y Noruega. Recuperado desde website: BP conciliac 21 exp cast electronic.pdf

Mexico 2000: Survey Information

Mexico 2000: Survey Information Summary table Generic information Name of survey Household Income and Expenditure Survey (Encuesta Nacional de Ingresos y Gastos de los Hogares - ENIGH) Institution responsible