Project

Constructing public policy for effective participation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Bolivia

Bolivia
Project ID
109142
Total Funding
CAD 514,900.00
Project Status
Active
End Date
Duration
60 months

Programs and partnerships

Program(s)
Education and Science

Lead institution(s)

Bolivia
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Summary

In Bolivia, gender stereotypes and prejudices compromise the quality of learning for female students and limit their education, employment, and career options.Read more

In Bolivia, gender stereotypes and prejudices compromise the quality of learning for female students and limit their education, employment, and career options. A recent study confirms low female participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), persistent barriers for undergraduate female students and faculty in STEM fields, and a widening gender gap in high-ranked positions.

This project will support a consortium, led by the Universidad Católica Boliviana San Pablo, to apply an intersectional lens (ethnic-cultural, generational, regional, and socioeconomic) to assess gender gaps and identify systematic barriers to the insertion, permanence, and advancement of women in STEM-based study programs and professions. The project will design, pilot, monitor, and promote institutional policies to close the gender and intersectional gap in specific STEM areas and curb vertical segregation in STEM fields. It will also formulate national-level policy to increase women’s participation in STEM fields of study and employment and it seeks to improve women’s career progression in science and technology.

To account for the country’s ethnic and socio-cultural diversity, field research and interventions will involve 11 universities and other organizations based in five cities. The project is expected to contribute to positive change in attitudes and behaviours of staff at educational institutions, groups of researchers, policymakers, employers, and parents.

This project was selected for funding as part of the call for proposals ”Breaking systemic barriers to women’s participation in science”.

Research outputs

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Report
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Language:

English

Summary

In science, there are still obstacles that make it difficult for women to be part of the areas related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The low participation of women in these areas has deprived science and innovative solutions due to the lack of women’s contributions, gaze and their perspective. This project aims to identify the systematic barriers that limit the insertion, permanence, and promotion of women in STEM areas through the analysis of beliefs, cultural values, policies, and sociocultural and institutional practices that affect Bolivian’s educational and professional trajectories of women in these disciplines. It also intends to design a set of participation-focused institutional policies that aim to improve the capacity of the educational and research institutions under the study to reduce the gender gap in STEM areas and promote greater equality in five cities of Bolivia.

Author(s)
Universidad Católica Boliviana "San Pablo"
Report
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Language:

English

Summary

This project had three phases of execution. First the development of three investigations in five cities of Bolivia in which it was possible to identify and characterize the barriers that hinder women’s careers in the STEM fields. The second phase, which involves the participatory construction of a pilot project, was developed in the second year of the project. This collaborative process took place through the establishment of dialogue spaces for members of school and university communities in Santa Cruz de la Sierra allowing the construction of proposals that will contribute to the increase and strengthening of the participation of women in STEM fields. During the third year, three investigations were also carried out that allowed for reflection and visualization of the barriers and intersectionality that impede the development and advancement of women in the STEM area. With the results so far, it is intended to develop public policy proposals based on the scientific information obtained through the results attained from the research projects and the analysis and reflection of the impacts achieved with the implementation of the pilot project to be carried out on the second phase.

Author(s)
Cruz, Mariana Santa
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