Women conquer science and research

It has not been easy for women to conquer spaces in the area of ​​science and research. It has required a lot of work, study, breaking roles assigned by their gender and invisibility. Today, on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the protagonists tell how their participation in academia and research has evolved.

In Azuay, they are organized in the Ecuadorian Network of Scientific Women, REMCI, where professionals from the Universities of Cuenca, Del Azuay, Salesian and Catholic Polytechnic of Cuenca exchange knowledge, make their work visible and face challenges.

Who they are, what they do, why they were interested in the field of science and what they investigate is what citizens, families, boys and girls, adolescents can learn about in the exhibition "Women Protagonists of Science" that is exhibited in the Museum Pumapungo.

There, on a yellow and red canvas, is the story of Yadira Reyna, PhD in Anthropological Sciences; Victoria Abril, researcher and teacher; by María Fernanda Salazar, researcher in Applied Mathematics or by María Francisca Granda, economist and political scientist.

That these and other scientific women today be the protagonists required predecessors who were involved in the academy, from Matilde Hidalgo de Procel, Flor María Salazar, one of the first graduates in Biochemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Cuenca, or Emperatriz Medina, educator Graduated from the University of Azuay, UDA.

Involvement

Rafaela Ansaloni, vice-rector for research at the UDA, recalled that in the work of research and academia, men have historically had a greater presence, but that the interest of women in scientific disciplines reflects a greater presence in these professional spaces than what they call “hard sciences”.

That is why they already work in the areas of Biotechnology, Chemistry, Natural Product studies, Medical and Health Sciences, environmental engineering, land, climate change, among others.

She recognizes that there were few spaces in university life for women. “There has been a breaking point in state policy to encourage the presence of women in public and educational spaces. The capacity was there, there was a lack of regulatory impulse, rules that increase participation”, Ansaloni commented.

Johanna Orellana, director of the REMCI node of the University of Cuenca and who works together with professionals from other universities, stressed that the exhibition seeks to amplify the knowledge of women scientists and that other girls and women see closely those who can be referents and inspire them to get involved.

She added that there are many women who do science in the academy, but they are invisible because they are not in the main roles.
"There are other fields where participation is reduced and that come from an early age due to gender stereotypes, cultural roles that distance the possibility that girls and young people can decide on this type of career."

Girl's

Orellana explained that it is important that boys and girls should be exposed to all areas of toys from an early age and not create role distinctions based on their gender, since interest in science is awakening from the age of four.

In addition, he assured that from the educational field a transformation is needed so that in the texts they have more women protagonists, as references and a work of gender sensitivity is carried out.

One way to encourage the participation of adolescents in science is through the “Vanguard Honors” program, in which honors students for their academic merit from the University of Cuenca transmit their experience to high school students in their last years.

The director, Denisse Vásquez, mentioned that in that space they explain that these careers are not only job options, but that they can get involved as scientists and researchers.

Through Instagram they publish the achievements of the students, testimonial videos and motivational messages.

In the last call and after the selection process, an equitable participation was reflected, with a slight majority participation of women, "we see that the number is equalizing and the gaps are narrowing."