The greatest inventions are often the result of insights, different theories and works that are not always given due fatherhood or, in many cases, motherhood. On the occasion of 8 March, International Women’s Day, we wish to pay tribute to women by highlighting their important contribution in the field of science and technology.
Scientists and researchers: Italian pride
Thinking of Italian scientists, the name of Rita Levi-Montalcini, neurologist and senator for life, immediately comes to mind, who in 1986 received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for identifying NGF, nerve growth factor or growth factor of nervous tissue, through which researchers are trying to cure diseases such as SLA or Alzheimer’s.
In the field of biology and pharmacology we remember Elena Cattaneo, who has made a valuable contribution in the path of stem cell research. In the field of astrophysics, Margherita Hack, the first Italian woman to direct an astronomical observatory, stood out.
Another symbolic face of Italy is that of Samantha Cristoforetti, the first Italian woman (and the third European) to go into space.
Many did not believe in the existence of the Higgs boson, until Fabiola Gianotti showed it to the whole world: an honor that contributed to her election as director of Cern (she is the first scientist in history to hold this position).
Teresa Fornaro, researcher at the Inaf Astrophysical Observatory in Arcetri in Florence, has made a valuable contribution to astrophysical research: she was chosen by Nasa to lead one of the three research groups that will analyze the data of the Perseverance probe, which on February 18th rested on Mars.
In the field of bio-robotics Cecilia Laschi of the Institute of BioRobotics of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna in Pisa, with her colleague Barbara Mazzolai, a marine biologist, has undertaken an experiment inspired by biological organisms, from which “Octopus”, the first robot without rigid structures, took shape.
And again, Chiara Montanari, in 2003 she was the only female engineer to deal with expeditions and the management of research projects of the Concordia Antarctic base.
Special mention deserves the scientists at the forefront of the fight against Covid-19: Concetta Castilletti, the researcher of Spallanzani who, together with her colleagues Rosaria Capobianchi and Francesca Colavita, isolated coronavirus for the first time in Italy.
These are just some of the many examples of women who have given and are giving a fundamental impetus to scientific and technological development and advancement.
Gender inequality: a barrier to be broken down
Despite much progress towards gender equality, we are still a long way from equality between men and women in the world of science and research, where there is still a gap in terms of training, employment and career opportunities.
AlmaLaurea data reveal that in Italy there is a gender gap between stem faculty graduates and, consequently, among employees in this sector: although there are more women enrolled in university than men (58.7% of those enrolled overall), only 18% of girls choose STEM courses.
The Italian trend is in line with the European and global average. According to a report prepared by the Talents Venture Observatory, although the performance of stem faculty students is better – the graduation grade of women (103.7) is on average higher than that of men (101.9) – often these academic performances are not recognized by the labour market: one year after graduation, the employment rate of men graduated in Stem courses (91.8%) is higher than that of women (89.3%) and the gap is also observed in terms of wages.
International Women’s Day in Science
To encourage the international community to pursue the objectives of gender equality in terms of educational opportunities, preparation and scientific careers, the United Nations has established World Day of Women and Girls in Science, to be held annually every 11 February.
This initiative is fully part of the 17 sustainable development goals set by the UN to address the major global challenges.