As the world continues to change and women’s rights face growing threats, it is crucial for women to unite and fight for equal rights and opportunities. At Mothers in Science, we are working harder than ever to drive systemic change, dismantle barriers, and challenge the myths that hold back mothers in STEMM.
To mark International Women’s Day, we hosted a special event where shared our latest research and projects and then listened to our community during an open discussion. Every voice matters, and the insights from our community members will help shape our future priorities as we push for greater equity and inclusion for caregivers in STEMM.
Why this matters?
Despite increasing awareness of gender disparities in STEMM, the motherhood penalty remains one of the most persistent and overlooked barriers to career advancement. Mothers in STEMM face unique challenges, including career interruptions, workplace marginalisation, inadequate childcare infrastructure, limited partner support, and crippling “mom guilt” due to societal expectations of being the “perfect mother.”
Our co-founder and CEO, Dr. Isabel Torres, and Research Officer, Dr. Anaelle Hertz, shared insights from our latest unpublished research on maternity bias and other systemic obstacles mothers face in STEMM. They also discussed evidence-based policies to promote equity and inclusion for caregivers, as well as current and upcoming research and advocacy projects happening behind the scenes at our organisation.
Participants in the event were able to:
Gain a deeper understanding of the systemic barriers mothers in STEMM encounter (and the myths that hide them)
Learn about the evidence of maternity bias in the STEMM sector
Engage in an open discussion and help us brainstorm what policies we need to build a more inclusive workplace for mothers and caregivers in STEMM
Connect with a global community of mothers in STEMM passionate about driving change