Notwithstanding some present-day improvement, gender equality in the scientific field is a dreadful battle. Concordantly, the increment of women in the science department has been marvelous. However, it still just isn't fair!
First and foremost, I'm Elena, a fifteen year-old sciences and mathematics admirer. Winning Villa Maria's Science Fair two years in a row now and having attended the Montreal Regional’s Science Fair last year, I endeavor to go into this field. Arguably, I have an angst that my future might not go as I intend it to. The preeminent reason: gender inequality in the world of science. Although gender representation and sexism are taken far more seriously nowadays, men monopolize this field.
Ultimately, when acknowledging the most prodigious humans in science history, you might think of Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin, etc. Furthermore, where are the females? For instance, only 30% of researchers in science, technology, engineering, and maths around the world are females according to a UNESCO Science Report.
Not only is there unfairness in the number of women in scientific occupations, but there is also complications with their salaries. As a matter of fact, Maclean's website (macleans.ca) elucidated that, "In 1997, women in STEM were paid 15 percent less than their male coworkers. Things have improved, but on average they are still paid 7 to 5 percent less today," (Shendruk). In fact, this demonstrates that women aren't treated the same way men are treated in the science field.
Presumably, jobs in the science department prioritize men over women. Consequently, there can't be gender equality in science unless we women come together and take this matter into our own hands for the future.
- Elena
