Science in the shadows

Abstract

The exclusion of women from knowledge centres has been been a constant feature since time immemorial. This inequality was not considered unjust until the last century when some historians introduced the "gender" concept as an analytical category to interpret some history considered facts. In the XX century women achieved civil rights and admission to higher education centres, and currently more than half the degrees issued by European universities are obtained by women. However, less than 18% are professors. The European Commission, concerned with this imbalance, created the "Women in Science" Unit in 2001 to analyse the reasons that prevented women from progressing in the scientific and technological world. Despite almost ten years of follow-up using segregation statistical studies from many publications and recommendations to correct the situation, the presence of women in the highest categories and in positions of responsibility continues to be very low.