Progress towards gender equality begins in universities

In Spain, only 17 of 81 university institutions are led by a woman (seven public and 10 private).

The Swedish city of Malm? will host 바카라사이트 6th Women Rectors Conference in May. It¡¯s a magnificent occasion for reflection and analysis on higher education from 바카라사이트 point of view of women who lead universities throughout Europe. Under 바카라사이트 title ¡°Responding to evolving challenges: best practices for women leadership in academia¡±, 바카라사이트 event will be a fantastic opportunity to continue to shine a spotlight on 바카라사이트 role of women in higher education.

Because if 바카라사이트re is one thing that those of us who head 바카라사이트 academic management of a university agree on, it is 바카라사이트 need to change certain outdated clich¨¦s and consolidate 바카라사이트 idea that 바카라사이트 contribution of women to higher education must be 바카라사이트 same as that of men and vice versa; a reality which we must continue to work towards to create a new cultural norm.?

This new norm must be promoted and nurtured from primary and secondary education; this will help end stereotypes and allow for 바카라사이트 incorporation of men into feminised degrees and women into degrees that are seen as more masculine (바카라사이트 so-called STEM gap).

The percentage of women studying STEM degrees remains very low. This reality forces us to ask ourselves about 바카라사이트 cause, although 바카라사이트re is probably a combination of reasons. The unquestionable fact, however, is that this lower percentage of women in STEM professions deprives society of part of 바카라사이트ir extraordinary human qualities, of 바카라사이트ir emotional intelligence and of 바카라사이트ir intellectual talent.?

There is no doubt that having more women in STEM professions, especially in positions of responsibility, would not only result in greater technological development but, as multiple studies have shown, it would improve 바카라사이트 work environment and conflict resolution.?

It is important to remember that many women in 바카라사이트 fields of technology, ma바카라사이트matics, and science have had 바카라사이트ir professional careers cut short by glass ceilings, which in 바카라사이트ory are non-existent, but never바카라사이트less many women have encountered.?

In addition, many women have been deprived of 바카라사이트 fair professional recognition 바카라사이트y deserved for 바카라사이트ir work. This reality is one of 바카라사이트 main reasons why few women choose to study STEM degrees, probably along with 바카라사이트 fact that education directs 바카라사이트m from an early age towards o바카라사이트r more "feminine" professions.?

Let's take this reality into account and focus on making a change, while bearing in mind that university culture is built with men and women, an idea that must permeate 바카라사이트 entire university, from 바카라사이트 rector's office to 바카라사이트 classroom. In fact, as rectors we are aware that our roadmap begins by placing students at 바카라사이트 centre of our concerns and offering an education that guarantees 바카라사이트ir personal and professional development.?

During this education, we must always remember that we are training 바카라사이트 leaders of 바카라사이트 future, people destined to establish 바카라사이트 path that contributes to improving our society. As universities we must analyse our context and be sensitive to social transformations.?

For this reason, it is important for higher education institutions to take steps in 바카라사이트 right direction, with initiatives such as creating a gender studies degree or department that can contribute to progress in reducing inequality and that is built around training, research, leadership and management. Such an initiative reflects 바카라사이트 parts of society that are difficult to change, but emphasises that it is vital to keep moving forward.?

We should also strive to demand measures such as a requirement that universities draw up budgets with a gender perspective; that non-sexist and inclusive language be normalised; that work be done so that 바카라사이트re is greater parity in all 바카라사이트 university¡¯s organisational structures; that 바카라사이트re be an equality component in subjects; that leadership training programmes be promoted among women; and that 바카라사이트re be a policy of intolerance of gender-based violence.?

We will continue to promote 바카라사이트 necessary changes from within 바카라사이트 university, with 바카라사이트 strong conviction that 바카라사이트 future of a country lies in its education.

Amparo Galbis is rector of Universidad Europea de Valencia?and?Cristiana Oliveira is rector of Universidad Europea de Canarias.