Although the importance of promoting the participation of more women in STEM disciplines is now recognized, this understanding is rather recent. Paula Szenkman, director of the Economic Development Program at CIPPEC, remembers that a few years ago if she mentioned the topic in any of her pitches with investors or asked them directly why it was important to have more women in technology, she would get confused looks in return. No one had asked and, therefore, the data did not exist.
“We have to generate the research because investments depend on understanding where we are going to make a big transformation. That’s today and it’s a great thing,” says Szenkman, one of the participants in the talk “InspiraTECH – Women Breaking Barriers in STEM,” which also featured Paola Sierra, manager of Alliances and Relationships at Laboratoria; Melina Masnatta, co-founder of ENKI; Nataly Vasquez Alzamora, founding partner of STEM LAB; and Ana María Acosta, director of BeTek by Makaia.
The bad news is that, although today at least there are statistics on the subject, the data are not encouraging. The participation of women in these areas continues to be low worldwide. According to UNESCO data, only 34% of people working in STEM are women, and this figure drops drastically in areas such as computer science, where female participation is less than 12%.
These numbers reflect a worrying reality that limits not only women’s opportunities but also the economic and technological development of societies. “We have conducted a series of studies, not only for Argentina but also for Colombia, Mexico, Brazil, and Chile, to try to shed light on exactly what this gap is,” Szenkman explained. Some of the results show that in Latin America women represent less than 20% of workers in technology sectors; in Argentina, even though 60% of university graduates are women, only 30% are in STEM sectors, and in computer science, this figure drops to 12%.
These figures are particularly worrying because they reveal that, despite the potential of STEM sectors to generate high-quality jobs and higher-than-average salaries, women still face numerous challenges to enter and prosper in these fields, remaining, unfortunately, in more precarious productive sectors.
The reasons behind this low participation are multiple and complex. The gender stereotypes that associate science and technology with men begin to exert influence from childhood, limiting the aspirations of girls. Additionally, biases in recruitment and promotion processes perpetuate inequality. “There is a very high dropout rate in technology careers among women who say, ‘I tried, but that’s not for me,’” explained Paola Sierra, manager of Alliances and Relationships at Laboratoria.
Women who manage to enter these sectors often face hostile work environments and lack of support in balancing their work and personal responsibilities. “Mental health and caregiving tasks are major obstacles. The pandemic increased these burdens, making it more difficult for women to stay in their technology careers,” added the expert.
And, without a doubt, the low participation of women in STEM has significant social implications, as it prevents women from fully contributing to the development of technologies that affect the entire society. “We are talking about low participation in decision-making in sectors that today are shaping how society produces, how we interrelate,” emphasized Ana Maria, director of BeTek by Makaia. This is something that not only affects the quality and diversity of technological solutions but also perpetuates gender inequalities in other areas.
Additionally, the lack of women in these fields limits economic growth. The STEM sectors are fundamental for progress, as they represent a significant part of the GDP and exports in many countries. However, without greater inclusion of women, a valuable workforce is lost and opportunities for innovation and growth are wasted. “Today, regardless of technology, there is a significant labor gap worldwide, closing that gap will become increasingly difficult if the fastest-growing sectors do not incorporate women at higher rates,” warned Szenkman.
That is why strengthening female leadership in technology is not only fair but necessary for economic and social progress: They bring a unique and diverse perspective that can enrich the decision-making process and product design, and they also have a multiplier effect. Women leaders serve as role models, inspiring more young women to become interested and stay in STEM fields. This is fundamental to breaking the vicious circle of low participation. “We can generate not only new businesses but also new ways of leading these businesses. But for that, we need smart investments and many women wanting to be there, and we’re just not there yet,” emphasized Melina Masnatta, co-founder of ENKI.
Diversity in leadership also contributes to a more inclusive and equitable work environment. Women leaders tend to implement policies that benefit other women, such as mentoring programs, flexible work arrangements, and inclusive work environments. “It’s incredible how women can develop and rise to the next level when we are part of a community when we understand that we are not alone, that there are other women who share the same challenges as us, that we have somewhere to go, and that’s where the mentoring component adds up,” added Paola Sierra.
Some specific actions to increase the integration of women in STEM, according to Paula Szenkman
- Implementing comprehensive policies: The initiatives must address all stages, from early education to professional growth. “A very important point is to have that comprehensive view, to understand that it is a sequence that must be addressed at all levels.”
- Data collection and use: It is essential to have evidence to design effective policies. “Today there’s still very little data on what works and what doesn’t work. The initiatives are very recent and little is known about their impact and whether they work and yield good results.”
- Fostering public-private collaboration: “Strengthening the public-private partnership together with the education system” is essential to create a favorable ecosystem for women in STEM.
The evolution of women’s participation in STEM requires a multifaceted and sustained approach. We must promote diversity in all environments and ensure that policies and practices are inclusive and equal. “That it is not just a token indicator, which is what usually happens with the gender gap, and it’s, well, we need to have 50% men and 50% women on the team. No, that is a vanity indicator,” Acosta affirmed.
To achieve a true transformation, it is necessary to question and act from every area, ensuring that everyone can contribute to an inclusive technological future. The inclusion of women in STEM is not just a matter of numbers, but a matter of justice and progress. As Paola Sierra said: “We dream of a world where access to knowledge and new technologies is for everyone.”
