In today's societies, gender inequality persists, hindering the process of finding a job. The gender division at work which assigns women household and care tasks makes it difficult for them to participate in work. Between 1997 and 2007 the female labor participation rate increased only 5.3 percentage points in Latin America and the Caribbean maintaining a gender inequality both in education and in labor markets related to STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). The specific causes that cause this gender inequality in STEM areas have to do with parenting models or also with discrimination against professional women who find it difficult to participate in these activities. According to data from the World Economic Forum report, in Latin America and the Caribbean 37% of people who graduate from STEM careers are women. This committee will discuss the causes, repercussions, and possible public policies that the countries can implement in order to reduce labor inequality in this area, increasing female participation in STEM jobs and guaranteeing  the empowerment of girls and young women in the region.

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About the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

 

ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America), is part of one of the 5 regional commissions of the United Nations. They are in charge of promoting the economic and social development of their respective regions. The economic ideology of this commission highlights the importance of free trade and business competitiveness. In the same way it searches to regulate regulate markets and provide social assistance, managing to promote a balance in the State-Market relationship. ECLAC has 46 member states, of which 33 are from Latin America and 13 from Europe, Asia and Anglo-Saxon America. Every 2 years they call a meeting to evaluate the work of the previous period and set priorities for the next.