Fostering dialogue and shared understanding in women's contributions to science and action across the Amazon

Sabina Ribeiro, Colleen Scanlan Lyons

The contributions of women to science have historically been remarkably neglected or rendered invisible. Patriarchal cultural heritage, still prevalent in most countries, has placed men at the forefront of academia and scientific action. It was only with the rise of the feminist movement and the attainment of women’s rights that women began to gain greater recognition in society. More recently, several initiatives have emerged to highlight the importance of women in science. Notably, in 2015, UNESCO established the International Day of Women and Girls in Science to recognize and celebrate the critical role that women and girls play in advancing science and technology.

Yet, significant barriers remain. In STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields—comprising natural and environmental sciences—globally, only 35% of students and less than 34% of researchers are female. Women also occupy a small minority of top-level scientific leadership positions and often receive a lower salary compared to their male counterparts for equivalent roles.

In the Amazon region, women’s scientific leadership is even more challenging. For many years, traditional household gender roles were mirrored in scientific fields: men publicly represented scientific institutions, conducted fieldwork, and dominated research endeavors. Fieldwork, in particular, was deemed inappropriate for women. Recently, women in the region have stepped into leadership roles in science by spearheading independent community initiatives, conducting research, and shaping policies. They are increasingly taking on key roles in scientific research and driving environmental action in the Amazon. We have also witnessed a growing (but still very small) number of women from Indigenous and traditional heritage accessing higher education opportunities and occupying positions as community leaders, policy makers and scientists.

This session will feature researchers from various Amazonian countries and around the world, who will share their work and discuss the barriers they have faced in their professional journeys. We aim to create a platform for dialogue on the future of women's roles in science and environmental action in the Amazon. Additionally, this session seeks to foster connections between women actively working in the region and other researchers and practitioners who support and advocate for their leadership and to develop a tangible product, such as a policy brief.