The gender gap expands to science and technology in Mexico

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In Mexico , the number of women working on science and technology has decreased, nevertheless , women are more educated than ever , warned the United Nations , the N ational Women's Institute (Inmujeres) , and the French government .

This phenomenon is not the result of a lack of merits or studies because, in Mexico , over half of the university students are women , nevertheless, job opportunities in science and technology have been affected by gender stereotypes and a hostile environment.

Nadine Gassman , the head of the Inmujeres, explained that the main obstacles women face after graduating are gender stereotypes .

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) , in Mexico , only 9% of women enroll in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics majors, compared to 28% of men.

This discussion took place at the “Forum for the Employment of Women in Technology and the Industry of the Future. Women 4.0,” an event organized by the E mbassy of France in Mexico, UN Women, and Mexico City's government.

Gassman

added that in Mexico , women represent 38% of the positions in the Mexican industry and occupy one in every four jobs in the technology sector.

In this context, she called for more visibility for women in the industrial and technological sectors “to make sure that girls who dream of creating things, working in technology, have an opportunity .”

Moreover, recent studies show that 65% of children in elementary school will have jobs that still don't exist. While girls attend school more than ever before, “in many contexts they are significantly underrepresented by in technology, engineering, biochemistry, and sciences and seem to lose interest on these areas when they become teenagers,” she said.

In regards to this, Nadine Gassman emphasized that future jobs will be driven by technology and innovation , “and if the gender gap in this area isn't solved soon, it is likely that it will expand.”