The Women and Science Unit (UMyC) is responsible for promoting the proper application of the principle of gender mainstreaming in the fields of science, technology and innovation. In compliance with this principle, UMyC proposes and promotes the gender perspective in scientific, technological and innovation policies that affect effective equality between women and men. In this way:
It promotes the balanced presence of women and men in all areas and levels of the system of science, technology and innovation, in accordance with its merits and capabilities, through mechanisms that eliminate biases, barriers and disincentives.
It promotes the cross-sectional integration of sex/gender analysis into the content of scientific research programs and projects, as well as specific research in the field of feminist, women and gender studies.
It promotes the cross-sectional integration of sex/gender analysis into the content of technological developments and innovation.
The UMyC was launched to comply with Order PRE/525/2005, of 7 March, on the adoption of 54 measures to promote equality between women and men. Specifically, measure 4.1 provided that “it is agreed to create a specific unit of 'Women and Science' to address the situation of women in research institutions and improve their presence in them.”
- Capitolina Díaz Martínez was the first director of UMyC from January 2006 to February 2008.
- Inés Sánchez de Madariaga was director of UMyC from September 2009 to October 2014.
- Ana Puy Rodríguez was director of the UMyC from December 1, 2014 to March 19, 2020.
- Zulema Altamirano Argudo was director of the UMyC from December 2020 until February 2023.
- Silvia Rueda Pascual was director of the UMyC from May 2023 to May 2025.
In order to promote gender equality from all public bodies involved in research, technology, innovation and universities, UMyC works in cooperation, among others, with:
At the national level:
- State Research Agency (AEI)
- Center for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI)
- Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT)
- Commissions and technical groups on gender equality in Public Research Agencies (IPAs)
- Ministry of Equality
- Institute for Women and Equal Opportunities (IMIO)
- National Institute of Statistics (INE)
- Commissions and Associations of Women and Science/Technology/University
In the international arena:
- Gender Sector in the Science with and for Society Unit (SwafS) of the European Commission's Research and Innovation DG
- Council of the European Union. Committee for the European Research Area (ERAC)
- Permanent Working Group on Gender in Research and Innovation (SWG GRI, former Helsinki Group on Gender in Research and Innovation)
