#8M is an opportunity to make visible the importance of women's participation in the technological entrepreneurial environment. To reduce the existing gender gaps in this ecosystem it is necessary to generate a systemic change that creates equal opportunities. Chicas en Tecnología shares some proposals for you to be part of the transformation.
Did you know that...?
The main findings of the research “A potential with barriers”, conducted by INTAL-IDB and Chicas en Tecnología, on the educational and professional trajectory of women in STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) in Argentina between 2010 and 2016 show that:
- There are gender gaps in the entry and exit of female students in STEM disciplines between the years studied: while there is a record of 33% of women as STEM students in both public and private universities, the value in the case of men is 67%.
- Women who choose a career and training path in CTIM face barriers based on family and social stereotypes.
- During university-level studies at CTIM, women experience situations of discrimination that condition the possibility of developing a professional career that guarantees equal opportunities in leadership positions.
- In the workplace, women experience horizontal segregation (“sticky floors”) and vertical segregation (“glass ceilings”) due to the scarce presence of women in STEM-related fields of activity and the gender stereotypes they face.
In addition
In the Latin American and Caribbean region, and in Argentina in particular, the knowledge-based services sector, in which the area of software and computer services stands out, represents 6.6% of GDP, employs 1.3 million people and is the fourth largest export complex in the country. Due to the potential of this sector in Argentina, the inclusion and full participation of women requires thinking of mechanisms to overcome gender gaps in STEM.
Since 2015, at Chicas en Tecnología we work to reduce the gender gap in science and technology in Argentina through a systemic approach that responds to 7 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To this end, we motivate, train and accompany the next generation of women leaders in technology through proposals and opportunities focused on quality education and gender equality.
All our programs are free and open source and are aimed at girls in high school with the goal of transforming them from users to creators of technology with social impact.
We also provide workshops, lectures and initiatives for schools, families, government agencies, the private sector and civil society organizations. The organization believes that it is necessary to involve these actors in the creation of an environment that favors the complementarity of technical knowledge and soft skills and encourages the development of diversity, innovation, adaptability and competitiveness to generate long-term sustainable systemic and cultural change.
What can you do? Here are some suggestions:
- Commit to equity. Everyone can develop the skills needed to be leaders and creators of technology. Promote greater diversity in your work teams to generate better responses and problem solving.
- Make visible leaders and role models who encourage minorities to participate.
- Generate cross-cutting proposals that include diverse groups.
- Reflect and exchange with your peers:
> What phrases and roles that reinforce gender stereotypes do they usually hear or say in their professional environments? A critical analysis allows us to understand where they come from and what gender beliefs they construct.
> Do you think that men and women have different aptitudes for science and technology? Why?
> Why do you think there are careers in which men or women are currently in the majority?
> Do you think there are male professions and female professions?
> Participate in communities working to solve the gender gap in science and technology. Make visible the actions they carry out and invite colleagues to be part of them.
If you want to meet Argentine women who work and lead projects in science and technology access the site Argentine Women in STEAM and shared their profiles to make them visible.
Encourage your colleagues to commit to the cause! They can make a individual donation to CET so that there are more and more girls in technology.
