In a panel that brought together leaders in science and technology, the Tec Science Summit addressed the challenges faced by women scientists in Mexico and solutions to achieve greater equity in these fields traditionally dominated by men.
The event, called Female Scientific Leadership in Complex Times, featured the participation of Larissa Cruz Ornelas, General Director of Science and Technological Development of the Government of Jalisco; Ana Acosta, Quality and Technology Manager at Colgate Palmolive in France; and Carolina Senés Guerrero, research professor at the School of Engineering and Sciences at Tecnológico de Monterrey.
The panelists agreed that, though there have been significant advances, gender biases persist affecting everything from academic training to the professional development of female scientists. “In scientific and technological research projects, not having the woman’s point of view can lead us to incorrect results, especially in areas such as health,” said Cruz.
Senés explained the phenomenon known as the “funnel” in academia: “In microbiology and biotechnology, there are many women studying for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, but then very few manage to become research professors, and even fewer become leaders of institutes or departments.” This underrepresentation, Senés said, directly impacts the direction that scientific research takes.
The Lack of Division in Unpaid Work Makes an Impact
One of the central themes of the panel was the unpaid care work that continues to fall mostly on women. According to the 2022 National Survey for the Care System, 75.1% of people who perform care work in Mexico are women, dedicating an average of 39 hours per week to these tasks.
“The reality of women in Mexico, regardless of their training, is that they often must prioritize family care,” shared Cruz. This phenomenon directly affects scientific productivity, a fundamental criterion for professional advancement.
At the same time, they proposed concrete solutions to face these challenges: the implementation of affirmative actions, such as gender quotas; special programs with flexible schedules for scientists who decide to become mothers; mentoring systems, greater representation in scientific events, and alliances with men committed to equity.
Regarding public policies, Cruz highlighted that Jalisco has already legislated a care system that will initially include remuneration and support for caregivers, recognizing their contribution to the national GDP.
New Generations and Call to Action
One of the highlights of the panel was a discussion on how new generations are more aware of gender biases. Senés shared: “We received a complaint from students because a professor was mansplaining what his female colleague had just said. These are 18-year-olds who detect it immediately, and that gives me hope.”
The panel concluded with a call to action: transform institutional structures, make biases visible when they occur, and recognize that scientific talent has no gender. As Acosta stated: “It is important to evaluate people for their abilities, not for their prejudices or stereotypes.”
The full participation of women in science and technology is not only a matter of social justice but a necessity for scientific advancement. The panelists emphasized how diversity of perspectives is fundamental to building stronger and more inclusive science.
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