Women in Science: a Driver of Innovation
Today, February 11th, we celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, an opportunity to reflect on the female contribution to scientific and technological progress and the ongoing challenges in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).
We asked Manens’ professional women to choose a word to describe their relationship with science.
What emerges is an image of science that goes beyond method and rationality, also encompassing creativity, intuition, and tenacity. Science is a space for freedom and redemption, a path that gradually allows us to overcome deeply rooted prejudices. It is always a challenge because it requires the courage to ask uneasy questions and insist on finding solutions. It is synergy and interdisciplinarity because only the exchange of diverse perspectives allows us to understand the complexity of reality. It is concrete because it means shaping ideas and turning thought into tangible impact.
In recent years, the number of women in these fields has increased. Recent data from the National Council of Engineers shows that in Italy, the number of women with master’s degrees in STEM disciplines increased by 35% between 2013 and 2021, with a significant rise in engineering as well: in 2010, women represented 23% of master’s graduates in engineering, while in 2021, the share rose to 30.8%.
Science prospers thanks to a plurality of perspectives, and women are an essential part of it. Celebrating this day means recognizing their fundamental role, not just in statistics but through their voices, stories, and daily work.
