Chile needs more women in data science

By Paula Uribe, data scientist engineer at Data Observatory and Susana Eyheramendy, academic and researcher at the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences UAI and Data Observatory

According to figures from the Ministry of Education (2020), in Chile there is a 53.5% gender gap for people with degrees in professional careers in the technology area, while according to a 2020 UN Women study, Chile is the country with the lowest percentage of women graduated in the area of ​​technology, a scenario that is at least alarming for those of us who are convinced of the contribution of data science in all areas of human endeavor and of problems that still seek solutions, such as climate change.

data science or data science It is the response to the large volume of data that various areas of knowledge, human behavior, industries and technologies produce minute by minute; and that seeks, discovers, analyzes and processes its meaning and value, to contribute to making better decisions and developing innovation with a solid foundation. Without going any further, many have identified it as one of the most relevant engines in R+D+i and a catalyst for various sectors of the economy and science.

On World Day for Women and Girls in Science, it is fair to recognize the role of our gender as promoters of change and not mere beneficiaries in the world of technology. There is a lot of information that shows that the higher the gender equity index, the better the country shows levels of development; being then a call not only for the young Chilean generations to expand their vocational options and demolish myths in certain careers hitherto masculinized, but also for families and the formation of stereotypes, educators, teaching directors, decision makers in matters of public policies and gender equality programs, the media and advertising, and society itself.

A study by the ESE Business School (2020) confirms the gender gap in the IT industry, assuring that it would take 64 years to achieve gender parity in companies.

This indicator represents new tools to attract more women to productive environments, and in this sense, there are some concrete actions that can be taken, such as distributing personnel searches through networks designed according to focuses of interest in data science and processes. selection processes designed for women, considering flexible hours and remote work schemes for officials, making it possible to reconcile work and family, in addition to support in caring for minor children (not only restricted to what is required by law). As for the flexibility of the schedule, work in data science or disciplines of the type, it adapts perfectly to the family dynamic.

If we add to this factor that a large part of Chilean households have a woman as breadwinner, the promotion of those technical and professional careers associated with technologies and programming would allow raising the socioeconomic conditions of more Chilean families and the mechanisms for overcoming poverty.

An also important aspect is the protection of the continuity of studies and thus avoid the loss of female talents in postgraduate courses. The evidence shows that the higher up in professional training, the gap increases (doctorates until having a position in the academy). In this sense, there are policies related to supporting maternity, such as “stopping the clock” on scientific production and others to eradicate discrimination in universities and match salaries, as well as interesting mentoring programs that guide and accompany career paths. . Don’t give up, you can be a data science woman changing your future and that of the country, there are no limits.