The study will be presented for the first time during the Annual Meeting of the Argentinian Society for Neuroscience (SAN) this Friday, 9 October and published in IBRO Reports.
This new study evaluates, for the first time in Latin America, gender inequities occurring in the careers of members of neuroscience societies in Latin American countries.
The report, entitled “Evaluation of gender inequities in Latin American neuroscience community”, was carried out by the IBRO Latin America Regional Committee (IBRO-LARC) and The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). With the input of more than 750 Latin American neuroscientists associated with IBRO-LARC from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico and Uruguay, this report sheds light on the development of their scientific careers in parallel with family life, their perceptions of obstacles to success, and their ideas to overcome inequalities.
A convenience sample was used to gather quantitative information about neuroscientists’ academic and family life, seeking to capture the interaction between the gender roles of men and women and their work as researchers. The collected data represents around 33% of the total members of national neuroscience societies in six countries of Latin America. The data shows the existence of horizontal and vertical segregation, glass ceilings, discrimination and other serious concerns and obstacles.
Regarding how to eliminate these gender differences within neurosciences, the vast majority of respondents perceived the need to implement policies or mechanisms to promote women’s academic careers in neuroscience. Equal pay policies and support for programs for people who suffer sexual or workplace harassment are considered the most important policies.
Neurosciences face numerous challenges in terms of promoting gender equality at different stages of education and career paths. This report aims to be the first attempt to better understand gender gaps in neuroscience and provide valuable input for future policy interventions that promote gender equality in this field.