Día Internacional de las Mujeres y las Niñas en la Ciencia

Every February 11, the Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (ICTS SOCIB) joins the celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, an initiative by the UN and UNESCO to recognize their key role in science and promote equality in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Through various initiatives, our female researchers and technicians showcase their work, inspire scientific vocations, and highlight the contribution of women to marine sciences. This day is an opportunity to foster diversity in research and strengthen the participation of women in the scientific community.

But do women really have the same opportunities in the scientific field? The data shows that inequalities still persist. Although more and more women are pursuing education in science and technology, their presence in key positions remains a minority.

What the data says: Women in science

The data confirms it: science needs more women. We debunk the most common beliefs with real figures.

"Science is a field largely dominated by men"

Reality:
- Women are gaining presence in science and innovation. In 2023, 64% of new positions in these fields in Spain were filled by women (Informe Mujeres Investigadoras 2024, CMyC).
Still a long way to go:
- Although in Europe women represent more than 70% in Health Sciences, in Engineering, only 1 in 4 students is female (She Figures 2021, European Commission).
Did you know...?
- Despite advances in education, structural barriers continue to hinder women's access to scientific careers.

"Women have the same opportunities to reach top positions in science"

Reality:
- Parity is still far off. In 2021, only 25% of university rectors were women, compared to 75% men (Científicas en cifras 2023, MCIU).
Still a long way to go:
- In the EU, women make up 33% of research staff, and their presence decreases at higher levels due to the "glass ceiling" (She Figures 2021, European Commission).
Did you know...?
- This phenomenon is known as the "gender scissors": women are the majority in the early stages of scientific careers, but their presence drops drastically at higher levels.

"Innovation is still led by men"

Reality:
- Female presence in innovation is growing. At CSIC, 43.4% of patent applications come from women inventors, and 75.8% of patents include at least one woman (Informe Mujeres Investigadoras 2024, CMyC).
Still a long way to go:
- Spain is one of the European countries with the highest rate of women inventors (23.2%), but still far from parity (Mujeres e Innovación 2024, OMCI).
Did you know...?
- Diversity in innovation drives more inclusive and effective solutions. However, in key technology sectors, female representation remains low.

"Women already enjoy equal job opportunities in science"

Reality:
- Work-life balance challenges impact women more. 47% of women in innovation have had to forgo training or leadership opportunities due to caregiving responsibilities (Mujeres e Innovación 2024, OMCI).
Still a long way to go:
- Globally, only 30% of researchers are women (UNESCO, 2017).
Did you know...?
- This phenomenon is known as the "leaky pipeline": as they progress in their careers, many women leave science due to structural barriers such as work-life balance struggles, gender biases, and difficulties in accessing leadership positions.

"The scientific and technological sector is already inclusive"

Reality:
- Significant inequalities still exist. In 2023, 61.3% of ICT companies had no female specialists in technology(Mujeres e Innovación 2024, OMCI).
Still a long way to go:
- Women remain concentrated in sectors like education and health, while men dominate engineering and technology (She Figures 2021, European Commission).
Did you know...?
- The gender pay gap in science and innovation persists even when accounting for experience and education level.

"The media consults male scientists more often than female scientists"

Reality:
- The presence of women as scientific sources in the media has increased, reaching 43.91% of expert consultations at the Science Media Centre España (Participación de las científicas como fuentes expertas en los medios: motivaciones y obstáculos, FECYT).
Still a long way to go:
- Only 20.35% of female scientists agreed to participate, compared to 26.37% of male scientists. In the end, 62.34% of media sources were men.
Did you know...?
- Lack of time, especially due to work-life balance challenges, is one of the main barriers preventing female scientists from engaging with the media.

Voices of science: the women of ICTS SOCIB share their experience

Get first-hand insights into the stories of some of our scientists and technicians, their passion for science, and their perspective on equality in the scientific field.

"Every day is a learning adventure"

How would you describe the moment you discovered your passion for science?
- Since I was a child, I have felt interest and curiosity about understanding the world—and what is that, if not science?
What inspiring phrase would you use to sum up your work?
- Every day is a learning adventure.
What belief about women in science would you change?
- I would break the stereotype that associates women, even in science, with caregiving tasks (such as organizing celebrations, gifts, etc.) and administrative duties (writing minutes, answering calls, etc.), promoting a fairer distribution of these responsibilities.

"The mind is like a parachute, it only works if it is open"

How would you describe the moment you discovered your passion for science?
- I always knew my path was in science. It was what I was passionate about, what I enjoyed, and what I understood easily. I was never one to memorize—I preferred to research and understand the "why" behind things. Years later, I found a way to do that in the ocean.
¿What inspiring phrase would you use to sum up your work?
- "The mind is like a parachute; it only works if it is open." – Albert Einstein.
What belief about women in science would you change?
- Although we have made progress, the idea that certain jobs are not suitable for women still lingers. I still hear comments like, "Do you really enjoy being out at sea?" or "Isn't it too physically demanding?" It's time to recognize that ability is not determined by gender.

"The response to the effects of climate change requires an engaged society"

How would you describe the moment you discovered your passion for science?
- I have always loved the sea. Some of my relatives were scuba divers, and I used to ask them many questions about the ocean floor. I dreamed of one day diving with them. That curiosity led me to pursue research.
What inspiring phrase would you use to sum up your work?
- The response to the effects of climate change requires an engaged society; it is a collective effort where every voice and every action matter.
What belief about women in science would you change?
- I would change the idea that "gender bias no longer exists in research." Data and testimonies show that it still affects access to funding, recognition, and leadership opportunities for women in academia.

"Understanding the present to improve the future"

How would you describe the moment you discovered your passion for science?
- My passion for nature was born in third grade when a group of biologists told us about the birds of the Balearic Islands, sparking in me a fascination for observing and drawing them. Over time, my curiosity expanded to the ocean, and today that passion is my profession.
What inspiring phrase would you use to sum up your work?
- Understanding the present to improve the future.
What stereotype about women in science would you change?
- I would change the idea that women in science need a man's validation or support to be recognized. Experience and knowledge are not determined by gender, and it is time to value merit on its own.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2025 at ICTS SOCIB

What the data says: Women in science

"Science is a field largely dominated by men"

Reality:

Still a long way to go:

Did you know...?

"Women have the same opportunities to reach top positions in science"

Reality:

Still a long way to go:

Did you know...?

"Innovation is still led by men"

Reality:

Still a long way to go:

Did you know...?

"Women already enjoy equal job opportunities in science"

Reality:

Still a long way to go:

Did you know...?

"The scientific and technological sector is already inclusive"

Reality:

Still a long way to go:

Did you know...?

"The media consults male scientists more often than female scientists"

Reality:

Still a long way to go:

Did you know...?

Voices of science: the women of ICTS SOCIB share their experience

Desmontando estereotipos: Mujeres y ciencia

Los datos lo confirman: la ciencia necesita más mujeres. Desmontamos los estereotipos más comunes con cifras reales.

1. Estereotipo:

"La ciencia es un ámbito en el que prácticamente se ha alcanzado la igualdad entre hombres y mujeres"

2. Estereotipo:

"Las mujeres tienen las mismas oportunidades de llegar a altos cargos en ciencia"

"Every day is a learning adventure"

How would you describe the moment you discovered your passion for science?

What inspiring phrase would you use to sum up your work?

What belief about women in science would you change?

"The mind is like a parachute, it only works if it is open"

How would you describe the moment you discovered your passion for science?

¿What inspiring phrase would you use to sum up your work?

What belief about women in science would you change?

"The response to the effects of climate change requires an engaged society"

How would you describe the moment you discovered your passion for science?

What inspiring phrase would you use to sum up your work?

What belief about women in science would you change?

"Understanding the present to improve the future"

How would you describe the moment you discovered your passion for science?

What inspiring phrase would you use to sum up your work?

What stereotype about women in science would you change?

Espacio infantil "SOCIB Kids": "¿Qué oceanógraf@ quieres ser?"

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ICTS SOCIB joins the International Day of Women and Girls in Science with resources, interviews, and activities

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