Data on the daily lives of women scientists in Brazil highlight gender inequality and a lack of resources
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a scientist in Brazil? And what is it like to be a woman doing science here? In celebration of the 15th anniversary of the For Women in Science Program, L’Oréal Brazil conducted a survey, developed by Kite Insights, and gathered responses from 70 winners on the subject. The questionnaire mapped responses to various questions—covering the profession, daily life, and even the personal lives of women who have decided to dedicate their lives to research. All to highlight the main challenges they face and the importance of awards that promote women’s empowerment in the scientific community. With the results in hand, we’ve compiled the most relevant data below. Check it out!
Do you, as a woman, feel that you have ever been treated disrespectfully because of your gender? In the survey, 90% of our female scientists said yes – which means that the vast majority have experienced, at least occasionally, different forms of discrimination simply because they are women. In the survey, for example, 39% of them say they have witnessed or experienced sexual harassment at least once, whether verbal or physical. Furthermore, only ¼ of them believe that women receive the same opportunities as men in their fields.
Another challenging factor for careers in science, according to 44% of our awardees, is the lack of access to resources or equipment, in addition to the challenges of securing funding for their studies and research. This aspect further underscores the importance of investments such as those from the Women in Science Program for these professionals, providing extra support through the research grants they receive.
Still on the topic of career challenges, among the many factors cited, more than half of the respondents said they view motherhood as something that will necessarily influence their careers. This sentiment, incidentally, is also reflected in another statistic from the survey: 49% of respondents stated that decisions related to this area—such as the number of children they intend to have or even when to become pregnant, for example—were made primarily with their careers in mind.
The “gap” in the Lattes curriculum during childbirth and the scientific community’s lack of flexibility regarding this break for motherhood are some of the challenges faced by mothers and scientists. Thanks to movements like Parent In Science, founded in 2016 by researcher Fernanda Staniscuaski, women are shedding light on this debate in pursuit of concrete changes in the scientific community.
And, after all, why did these women choose science? When asked about the reason for this choice, only 3% said they followed in their family’s footsteps – which shows how most of them were pioneers in embracing research. Among their main motivations for exploring this unknown through science, 76% highlighted the opportunity to teach and mentor others, and 73% cited the potential for major discoveries and innovations. Incidentally, more than half of the respondents attribute the success of their careers to individual perseverance.
It is because of these and other unique aspects of the reality faced by women scientists in the country that the For Women in Science program has been promoted for 15 years. Through the Program, in partnership with UNESCO in Brazil and the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, 103 Brazilian female researchers have already been empowered to change the scientific landscape through innovation and gender equity. In this way, it is possible to inspire today’s women to transform tomorrow’s world.
