Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are key careers to economically empower women in the Latin American and Caribbean region and governments are aware of this.
Latin America allocated US$37,382 million in research and development (ID) in 2016. Of this amount, Brazil totaled 60.7%, that is, some US$22,693 million, followed by Mexico with 13.5%, (US$5,031.7 million); Argentina with 9.3%, (US$3,480.3 million); and Venezuela with 8.1%; (US$3,044.9 million).
Likewise, Chile invested US$959.9 million, Ecuador about US$450 million, while Costa Rica and Uruguay totaled US$246.4 million and US$215.2 million, respectively. Paraguay reports a smaller amount with US$42.1 million; Honduras, US$3.1 million; and Guatemala, US$15.2 million
Despite this investment, women are underrepresented in STEM careers. This is stated by the United Nations (UN). This is evidenced by the fact that 12% of professionals dedicated to machine learning are women, while the figure rises to 22% if it is artificial intelligence.
In the Dominican Republic, university graduates in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics stood at 54%, 49% are dedicated to the area of information and communication technologies and 46% in engineering, manufacturing and construction.
The study “Women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in Latin America and the Caribbean”establishes that more than 7.1 million traditional jobs will be displaced by 2050.
Against this background, researchers affirm that STEM are the jobs of the future to promote the sustainable development of nations. That is why the organization ensures that governments should encourage women to participate in these professions as entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders.
Achieving gender equality alone would impact the gross domestic product with some US$12 trillion. In the European Union (EU), STEM would bring in between €610 billion and €820 billion each year and create 1.2 million jobs by 2050.