Closing the gender gap in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) remains a significant challenge, as women continue to be underrepresented in these fields. The Matilda Chair is working to drive progress toward equity through solidarity and support networks.

Founded in 2020, the initiative consists of a group of individuals—90% women and 10% men—from 18 countries, including Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, and Chile. Their goal is to increase the visibility of women in STEM, inspire future generations, and support the retention and professional growth of women pursuing these disciplines in Latin America.

As of 2023, women accounted for only 28% of the STEM workforce, with leadership positions still predominantly held by men.

Globally, investment in women’s rights organizations and gender equity initiatives has been declining since the pandemic.

“We are certainly not where we’d like to be,” says Vianney Lara, Director of Academic Services for the Monterrey Region and an associate researcher at the Institute for the Future of Education (IFE) at Tec de Monterrey. “But we also believe that efforts have not been in vain—change is happening, little by little.”

Lara is a founding member of the Latin American Open Chair Matilda and Women in Engineering, an initiative led by the Latin American and Caribbean Consortium of Engineering Institutions (LACCEI), the Colombian Association of Engineering Faculties (ACOFI), and the Federal Council of Engineering Deans (CONFEDI).

“This is not just a ‘women for women’ issue—equity benefits everyone,” says Lara, a mechatronics engineer who has focused part of her research on women in STEM.

The initiative seeks to empower Latin American women in STEM

In Latin America, women currently make up 40% of STEM graduates, yet their representation drops significantly in the workforce.

While employment data in these fields is limited for the region, the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector provides a glimpse of the disparity—only three out of every ten employees are women.

“For women to thrive in these fields, structural changes are necessary—economic, family, social, and workplace environments must support their development,” says Ileana Ruiz, National Director of Professional Development at the School of Engineering and Sciences (EIC) at Tec de Monterrey and a member of the Matilda Chair.

One of the chair’s key initiatives is publishing a book—now preparing for its sixth edition—alongside research articles, talks, conferences, an annual research symposium, mentoring programs, and a podcast.

The books feature around 40 articles reflecting on the experiences and lessons learned by Latin American women in STEM. These range from students pursuing their undergraduate degrees to seasoned professionals who have already retired.

Additionally, the group maintains a WhatsApp community where members can share advice, stories, job openings, and recommendations related to STEM fields and gender equity.

“We’re organized into different committees—the executive, communications, research, mentoring, professional practice, and vocations,” Ruiz explains. “We have a system in place that allows for leadership rotation across the various teams.”

Data-Driven Decision-Making to Achieve Their Mission

Among its many initiatives, the Chair has prioritized measuring its own impact through research, using evidence-based decision-making to continue advancing its mission.

A recent analysis found that the greatest impact comes from the Matilda book series, followed by talks and conferences, the symposium, and the WhatsApp group.

Members report significant benefits in their professional growth, networking opportunities, learning about gender-related topics, and professional sisterhood.

The most frequently mentioned words in a survey describing what the Chair means to its members included equality, sisterhood, empowerment, community, collaboration, and mentoring.

“Our work is entirely voluntary—we do it out of conviction, for the love of it, because we want to,” says Lara. “It’s amazing to find people who share the same goals and the same drive to make a difference.”

For the researchers, the results of this analysis and the enthusiasm of the Chair’s members are the strongest motivators to keep pushing forward.

Their work highlights that being part of a network of women dedicated to advancing in STEM careers is essential to making meaningful progress toward gender equity.

The Future of the Matilda Chair

Looking ahead, the team aims to expand the Chair to include a gender equity observatory for STEM disciplines and a mentoring guide. They are also applying for funding to secure more financial support and ensure the initiative’s long-term sustainability.

“We need more women engineers, scientists—diversity benefits us all,” says Ruiz.

The Chair also seeks to increase its visibility and make all the resources it has developed over the years accessible to everyone, free of charge.

Additionally, the researchers extend an open invitation to men to support and participate in these efforts, emphasizing that achieving gender parity—in STEM and beyond—is a collective responsibility.

“In the end, equity benefits everyone because it broadens perspectives across the board,” says Lara.

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