Diferencias de género en la elección de carrera universitaria: caso Ecuador

Abstract

Abstract: According to UNESCO (2024), STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) require skills that have been highly valued in the labor market over the past decades. However, in Latin America, there remains a significant gender gap in these fields. This study aims to analyze gender differences in the choice of university careers in Ecuador, specifically in the STEM domain. For the quantitative analysis, data from the 2023 National Survey of Employment, Unemployment, and Underemployment (ENEMDU) was used. The results showed that women are underrepresented in STEM careers, predominantly found in traditionally feminized areas, while men dominate in STEM disciplines. In the qualitative analysis, 20 surveys were conducted: 10 with male and 10 with female students of Civil Engineering, a STEM-classified career. This approach explored the role of education, family, and society in career choice, revealing that interpersonal, intrinsic, and extrinsic factors significantly influence these decisions. The study concludes that it is essential to implement concrete policies and actions to reduce gender inequality and promote greater participation of women in STEM careers, aiming to close this gap and foster equity in the academic and professional spheres.