In Mexico, only three women out of 10 are studying a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
This problem has a solution by paying attention and working from a young age until your interest increases.
This was pointed out by Laura Tamayo, Vice-Chair of the Inclusion and Diversity Committee of the CCE, who said that increasing the presence of women in these professions would reduce gender and salary gaps.
In an interview with Reforma newspaper, Tamayo noted that Mexico has not yet been able to increase the number of women in these professions.
Two main factors
She described that there are two factors that influence girls not choosing STEM careers, one of which is that teachers do not necessarily invite them in a fun way to approach science.
Another reason is the strong influence that the family has on girls’ decisions about which professions to study.
Tamayo explained that girls consider 30 percent of their decisions related to what their families recommend, and in general he advises them not to study science, especially mathematics.
Unconscious discrimination
“This is unconscious discrimination because it means believing that scientific professions are not for them, and thus we limit their opportunities and weaken the scientific body in the country,” the expert warned.
If the number of women in STEM fields does not increase, the salary disparity could worsen, said Tamayo, who also serves as Bayer’s director of communications, public affairs, science and sustainability.
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) jobs are on average 8 percent better paid than others, according to the Mexican Institute of Combat (Imco).
We are losing wealth
“We are losing enormous wealth because many of these women are not working because of prejudice or because of, ‘How am I going to work if I have to feed myself and take care of the children,’” Tamayo said.
According to a study by McKinsey & Company Mexico, cited by Reforma, it will take the country 100 years to achieve gender equality in the workplace if it continues at this pace.
He considered that to change this thinking, campaigns could be implemented to help understand that this is unconscious discrimination.
The STEM movement in Mexico is funded by a private initiative and seeks to reach girls and boys to guide them so that they are not afraid to choose a career in science and technology fields.
(Images: taken from IMCO and Reforma)
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