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After the 2002 IUPAP International Conference on Women in Physics in Paris, Elisa and Marcia invited a small group of Latin-American participants to promote a similar event in Brazil. The Latin American Women in Exact and Life Sciences (see web page at http://www.cbpf.br/~mulher) took place in Rio de Janeiro November 17–19, 2004. During three days, 102 participants, consisting of women scientists (mathematicians, physicists, biologists, and engineers), journalists, sociologists, policy makers in governmental funding agencies, and representatives of scientific societies, discussed the difficulties faced by women when building a scientific career in Latin America. One of the purposes of the conference was for conference participants to become the start of a Latin American network of women in exact and life sciences what will enhance interaction across the continent not only in physics but also in other research areas. The meeting was composed of plenary sessions, round tables, a happy hour session, and discussion groups. Following the Paris meeting structure, conference participants discussed topics such as: How to attract young women to the various areas of science in the face of stereotypes fostered in the media and education; Career and family; Difficulties in the work environment; and Relationships between the power structure and progression in one’s career. Some topics related to the specifics of the meeting were also discussed, such as the contributions of women in science to the development of Latin-America, and differences among the various areas of science. Myths regarding femininity and science were discussed with specialists in the fields. Topics included: The impact of technological transformations on women’s condition; and Feminine biology: genetic-evolutionary and cultural differences. During the three days many aspects of the difficulties faced by women in the exact and life sciences were raised and discussed by the participants. The discussion centered on barriers such as: The male-dominated atmosphere of institutions; Prejudices created by the scientist stereotypes, which can contribute to a lack of family and societal support for females to follow a scientific career; Gloomy perspectives in the workforce as a consequence of discrimination; Male-only positions or positions conditioned to childless females; Tensions in the conjugal relation whether or not the couple shares the same career; The double burden of home and work; The glass ceiling; Sexual harassment, both implicit and explicit; and Regional inequities in the availability of modern technology, both among different regions of the same country and among the poor and not-so-poor countries on the continent. This last point, of course, affects men and women alike. |
