Peruvian Women’s Underrepresentation in Science and Technology: Strategic Guidelines

Abstract

Women’s underrepresentation in science and technology (ST) has multiple complex reasons caused by cumulative effects at different stages in women’s lives. This is a relevant public policy issue for economic, social and ethical reasons that requires multiple solutions. In this sense, this study analyses the factors affecting Peruvian women’s participation in ST and proposes strategic guidelines to increase it. The originality of this article lies in studying this phenomenon, considering different stages of the career choice (access to education, career persistence and career progress) in a context that has not been previously studied, characterized by the highest female labour participation rate in Latin America. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with female students in high schools and universities, university professors in ST departments, professionals in ST careers, qualified researchers in ST institutions and ST experts. The information was encoded, categorized and analysed according to thematic analysis. Consequently, we propose an integrated framework of strategic guidelines based on the stages of women’s careers: access, persistence and advancement. The results are useful for public and private professionals and institutions engaged in ST, education and gender equality.