Science needs women

At Grupo Álava we support all women who are dedicated to science and we encourage all those who want to do so in the future. We believe that the incorporation of women into STEM professions is vital for the progress of the country.

There are more and more studies that affirm that many of the barriers that women encounter in science are not only external barriers, but fundamentally internal. In general, over the years, there have been and still are positions considered "feminine" and "masculine". This has meant that many of them do not feel capable of studying these areas.

In society, we have the perception that the situation of women is evolving, but the reality of the statistical data is quite different. The scientist María Bayán, member of the Spanish Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, states in an interview with ABC that "it is the first time since seven years ago that we have begun to lose female talent in the scientific field during the early stages of the research career. Seventy percent of the positions of responsibility in science are occupied by men. Women in science are seen as less capable, less competitive."

It should be noted that not all people are equal in their ability, character or motivations, but they should be equal in their opportunity to develop their own character, motivation and skills. It is the few references they have in comparison with men, which makes them lose self-confidence. This is a statistical reality that is not evolving today, but it should.

The same is true in the field of technology. Sara Gómez, professor at the UPM states that "the technological future will not be if women are not there. Today's technologies and those to come must be designed by men and women equally."

It is necessary to move towards a better society, in which men and women live together in a situation of equal representation in the workplace. Skills are not associated with any particular gender, but simply with people. Let us contribute to improving the world we live in.