Por Redaccion 
La region of Mercia has 56.7 percent of women studying university studies, the third highest rate in CCAA
The Ministry of Environment, Universities, Research and Mar Menor, through the Seneca Foundation, will soon develop the «Artemis Program», aimed at increasing the number of women opting for engineering, mathematical studies, as well as scientific and technological careers, consolidating their presence in a key sector for the future.
Councilor Juan María Vázquez made this announcement during the commemorative events of International Women’s Day and Girls in Science, celebrated tomorrow, February 11, organized by the School of Sciences, according to government sources in the region.
The head of universities and research provided some data and emphasized that almost 57 percent of university students in the region of Mercia are women, with over 63 percent at the University of Mercia.
However, he explained that there are degrees like computer engineering, where only 13% are women, or in industrial organization engineering, where they don’t even reach 10%. «This situation needs to be corrected,» he said.
According to the statistical portal of the region of Mercia, during 2023-2024, only 24 percent of those enrolled in engineering and architecture degrees were women, with 1,528 female students compared to 6,367 male students. In science degrees, female representation reaches 49 percent, with 1,366 registered women, with subjects like biochemistry exceeding 70 percent.
There are mathematics degrees that still have a small presence of women at 40 percent; nevertheless, the statistics in the region of Mercia are better than the national average in various disciplines.
«It is necessary to break stereotypes and increase the visibility of professionals in the fields of engineering and mathematics to improve vocations. This is the main goal of the new ‘Artemis Program’, which will directly involve researchers from the region as role models to inspire a generation of scientists and technologists,» said the councilor.
The community maintains initiatives such as the Piedad de Cierva scholarships, aimed at new students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) degrees at public universities in the region. This assistance covers the registration fee at the university and is awarded to students with the best academic record.
The Seneca Foundation’s scientific and innovative culture program aims to promote women’s access to research careers. «It is not just a matter of equality, but a necessity for the progress of science in the region of Murcia,» said Juan María Vázquez.
The Seneca Foundation organizes various activities to bring science closer to younger audiences, including stories, workshops, and exhibitions on the role of women in science. «Highlighting the activity of current and past scientists is essential to inspire new generations,» said Vázquez.
Secondary School Science Awards
The VI edition of the Lyceum Science Awards, organized by the Association of Women Scientists of the Region of Mercia, in collaboration with the Seneca Foundation, recognizes the efforts of young researchers who excel in different fields of knowledge.
The winners were: Miriam Pardo Hernández (Cebas-CSIC), in the field of basic and experimental sciences; Rosa Alba Sola Martínez (University of Mercia), in the area of health sciences; Clara Cubillas Parra (Polytechnic University of Cartagena), in the field of social sciences; Elena Marín Cascales (UCAM) in the field of sports sciences; Isabel Pilar Morales Aragón (UPCT) in the field of engineering and technologies; and María Dolores Mellado Martínez (UMU), in the field of Humanities.
The Seneca Foundation took over the financial team of these awards for the first time to promote the careers of scientists and present them as role models for future generations. «These women represent the talent and dedication we need to inspire girls to pursue scientific and technological careers,» said the head of universities and research.
A Future with More Scientists
«The data confirms that the gender gap in science is narrowing in the region of Mercia,» said sources from the Murcian executive.
In the research sector, 44 percent of individuals dedicated to research and development are women, more than five points above the national average and three points higher than the European average, where the presence of women is lower in countries like Germany (28 percent) or France (33 percent).
Women represent 39.3 percent of researchers involved in projects funded by the Seneca Foundation, reflecting positive progress in recent calls. With initiatives like the Lyceum Awards, scholarship programs, and awareness campaigns like the Piedad de Cierva, the region of Murcia reaffirms its commitment to a future where women and girls play a leading role in science.
The celebration of International Day of Women and Girls in Science «Is a reminder that talent has no gender and that equality is the way to progress,» concluded the councilor.