Science Needs Women

At Grupo Álava, we support all women working in science and encourage all those who wish to pursue a career in this field in the future. We believe that the inclusion of women in STEM professions is vital to the country’s progress.

A growing number of studies suggest that many of the barriers women face in science are not only external but primarily internal. Generally speaking, over the years, there have been—and still are—jobs considered “feminine” and “masculine.” This has led many women to feel that they are not capable of pursuing these fields.

In society, we have the perception that the situation for women is improving, but the reality revealed by the statistical data is quite different. Scientist María Bayán, a member of the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, stated in an interview with ABC that “this is the first time in seven years that we’ve begun to lose female talent in the scientific field during the early stages of their research careers. “Seventy percent of leadership positions in science are held by men. Women in science are seen as less capable and less competitive.”

It is worth noting that not all people are equal in terms of ability, character, or motivations, but they should be equal in their opportunity to develop their own character, motivation, and abilities. It is the limited number of role models they have compared to men that causes them to lose self-confidence. This is a statistical reality that, as of now, is not changing—but it should.

The same is true in the field of technology. Sara Gómez, a professor at the UPM, states that “there will be no technological future without women. Today’s technologies—and those yet to come—must be designed by men and women on an equal footing.”

We need to move toward a better society, one in which men and women enjoy equal representation in the workplace. Skills are not associated with any particular gender, but simply with individuals. Let’s work together to make the world we live in a better place.