International Women's Day, established by the United Nations in 1975 and celebrated annually on March 8th, It recognizes women's achievements and invites reflection on equal opportunities.In STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering and MathematicsGender equality has not yet been achieved, both in terms of education levels and leadership positions.
Promoting greater balance in these areas is not only a matter of social justice, but also a way to strengthen science's ability to address complex challenges by incorporating diverse perspectives.
Women in STEM in an international context
Data from UNESCO They indicate that women represent, on average, about 33,3% of researchers globallyIn STEM fields, only 35% of students and graduates are women, a proportion that is reflected in the labor market, where only 22% of jobs STEM positions in G20 countries are dominated by women.
Despite a more significant presence in the natural and health sciences, sectors in which, according to the World Health Organizationwomen represent approximately 67% of the workforce globally, your participation It remains low in high-tech areas and leadership positions.It is estimated that only 1 in 10 leadership positions in STEM fields, the position should be held by a woman. At the level of international recognition, asymmetries persist: 589 Nobel Prizes assigned in STEM fields only 17 distinguished women.
These inequalities are compounded by structural challenges related to access to funding, research opportunities, and career advancement, factors that affect the retention and advancement of female researchers in different contexts.
National context: data and initiatives
In Portugal, the most recent data from the 2025 Statistical Bulletin “Gender Equality in Portugal"These figures highlight progress, but also persistent imbalances in areas such as technology, engineering, and digital skills. Today, women represent approximately..." 36.5% of graduates in STEM fields, the value is higher than the European Union average.
Among the initiatives that seek to give visibility to the work developed by female researchers, the publication of the book “Women in Science", which brings together portraits of scientists from different generations, contributing to the creation of inspiring references and models for future generations."
Furthermore, several institutions and projects mark this date with initiatives that promote reflection, the sharing of experiences, and the appreciation of women's contributions to science. A recent example is... project Women4Digital, developed within the Science4Policy program of the Centre for Social Studies and funded by the FCT. The initiative analyzes gender inequality in digital transformation and contributes to reflection on public policies that promote greater inclusion of women in science and the digital world.
Initiatives of this nature reinforce the importance of involving the scientific community in reflecting on gender equality, promoting the development of tools and recommendations that support more effective policies.
