In France, in 2024, women will still be underrepresented among engineers: they are only a quarter among those who work and a third among students. Based on this observation, the Elles Bougent association, which wants to encourage students to choose scientific and technical careers, published at the end of September, with the OpinionWay institute, a survey among 6,125 women who work or study in these sectors, to understand what obstacles they faced.
The result: From school to business, girls and women continue to be discouraged from pursuing careers in scientific and technical professions. Thus, 82% of those surveyed claim to have had to face gender stereotypes during their schooling: 64% heard that they were more prepared for literary studies; 44% who are less competent than boys in mathematics; 21% were explicitly dissuaded from following this path (15% by their teachers, 9% by their parents). However, a large majority of respondents (88%) say that math and science are among their favorite subjects.
Persistence of a very masculine universe
So many messages that play with self-confidence (30% of the women surveyed did not feel as capable as their male counterparts to assert themselves in these matters) and with confidence in the future: 83% of the women surveyed fear suffering , as an engineer. or technical, sexism, discrimination or not being able to progress professionally. More than half of the women surveyed (55%) think that certain professions or certain careers are less accessible for women than for men. A figure that rises to 67% among female students.
For those who, however, chose to continue their studies in these sectors, the difficulties linked to the persistence of a very masculine world have not disappeared: 48% believe that they have lacked support, guidance and role models during their studies; 42% have or have had the feeling of not being in their place. Respondents also report the existence of sexual violence in the context of their studies (20% of students and 13% of active respondents).
When reaching the professional world, inequalities increase: 81% of women believe that men have easier access to positions of responsibility and 75% believe that men benefit from better salaries in equal positions.
