Objective: Attract women towards Race Stem

For some years, the female presence in the university classrooms supposes more than half of the students, even in some cases that figure is far exceeded, as in

Objective: Attract women towards Race Stem

For some years, the female presence in the university classrooms supposes more than half of the students, even in some cases that figure is far exceeded, as in medicine (70%). The latest data from INE shows that students enrolled in official masters supposed this course 55.4%.

However, and despite these figures and the progress achieved, the truth is that female representation in many careers and professions remains testimonial or well below the masculine. This is what happens in the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM, for its acronym in English). According to UNESCO's report on the education of women in these matters, only 35% of students enrolled in these branches are feminine. In addition, the document highlights as it shows that only 3% chooses studies in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT).

But why do women seem to prefer other specialties? Why does this gender gap in the STEM disciplines still exist? "There is a social perception, already from small, that mathematics, physics, sciences in general are boys. Scientific studies show that already six years old girls see themselves less endowed for mathematics than boys , but that perception with objective measures is erroneous. " This is believed by Mari Carmen Aguayo, professor at the University of Málaga in the Communications Engineering Department.

In his case, he had no references, or feminine or male, to decide for that training. He only knew one thing: he liked mathematics and, above all, physics. "By chance I saw a television program where they showed an oscilloscope, I thought Magic, and many years later I continue here, surrounded by Cachivachics that turn the words and images into electromagnetic signs and upside down. I still have the curiosity of then."

In his opinion, the absence of female representation in these matters responds, in part, a reflection of society and the role played by social networks with the models that are shown to girls. She defends that to change this tendency it is necessary to improve the preparation of teachers and expand scientific training in the titles of Magisterium. She herself collaborates in the initiative like you, in which researchers at the University of Malaga make known in schools and institutes the work of women in scientific and technological fields.

And what about the companies?

Susana García Espinel, director of Santander Universities and Universia Spain, affirms that "there is a strong commitment to raise awareness and encourage the election of STEM careers in general and, in particular, in women." She is why she defends that she has to "work on long-distance initiatives, generating knowledge spaces and promoting the talent of young people and self-confidence to be leading digital and technological environments."

In Banco Santander, this commitment has been translated into several initiatives. One of them is the Santander Women / Leadership Scholarship Program Tech Gl Santander #Chicasimparabletech, which celebrates its second edition and whose objective is to promote the digital skills of students in STEM disciplines. "Last year, the program had a great demand, but we have surprised us to see how in this edition the number of applications has been multiplied, without a doubt, it is a good reflection of the positive evolution of the interest of young people for this type of professions "Concludes García Espinel.

Date Of Update: 07 January 2022, 16:04