Além das leis da física: recortes históricos e experiências sobre desigualdades de gênero e a busca por equidade no campo científico

Abstract

Female participation in Physics has historically been marked by challenges ranging from the invisibility of their contributions to the difficulty of accessing and remaining in academic and scientific careers. This work investigates, through a bibliographic review and data analysis, the challenges faced by women in Physics, with emphasis on the impact of gender inequalities on training and professional trajectory. The research highlights the contributions of scientists such as Marie Curie, Emmy Noether, Chien Shiung Wu and Maria Goeppert Mayer, as well as Brazilians who have become references in the area, including Elisa Frota Pessoa, who developed research on weak interactions, and Sônia Guimarães, a specialist in studies of solid materials. Based on data on female representation and scientific publications in the field of Physics, a female underrepresentation is observed, exemplified by the "scissors effect". Data from the Parent in Science movement in 2021 revealed that only 6.5% of the most prestigious CNPq scholarships (PQA1) are awarded to women. In addition, it was revealed that 38.7% of women experience an impact on their academic production after motherhood, while only 16.6% of men reduce their production. This highlights the persistence of gender inequality. Furthermore, the lack of recognition and moral and sexual harassment in the university environment are also factors that hinder gender equality in the area. However, despite advances in female participation in Physics, underrepresentation persists and requires continued action to ensure that women have equal access to opportunities, recognition and progression in scientific careers.