Women like Marie Curie or Margarita Salas have left an indelible mark on science, demonstrating that talent does not understand gender. Their achievements are a source of inspiration and demonstrate the importance of continuing to fight for equality in all scientific fields.
Furthermore, the presence and participation of women in science is not only a matter of social equality, but also a necessity for scientific advancement itself. In the opinion of experts, gender diversity in scientific teams enriches research, provides different perspectives and favors innovation. Including women and girls in science allows problems to be addressed from broader angles, improving the quality and impact of scientific results.
According to numerous studies, despite the progress made in recent decades, women continue to face obstacles such as the lack of female role models, gender stereotypes and the digital divide. Furthermore, the conciliation between professional and personal life continues to be a challenge for many researchers.
According to data provided by the United Nations, more young women than young men decide to pursue higher education. 46% enroll within five years of completing secondary education, compared to 40% of men. However, women only represent 35% of science graduates.
For UNESCO, women continue to be underrepresented in scientific research around the world. In 2022, only 31.1% of researchers were women, highlighting the persistent gender inequalities in this field.
Therefore, in the opinion of António Guterres, Secretary General of the UN, “We must ensure that all girls can imagine a future in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics and that all women can prosper in their scientific careers.”
The role of education from childhood
Promoting interest in science in girls from an early age is key to breaking down prejudices and opening the way to scientific careers. This is one of the reasons why the number of companies and organizations that launch projects to motivate girls is increasing, showing them female role models and providing them with support in their academic and professional development.
This is the case of the Naturgy Foundation, which promotes the education of girls mainly through the Efigy Girls program, an initiative of its Efigy Education platform, designed to promote scientific and technological vocations (STEAM) in primary and secondary school girls.
Specifically, the program seeks to reduce the gender gap in the energy sector, offering practical workshops and mentoring, focused mainly on robotics, energy and sustainability. More than 400 young people have participated in this initiative of the Naturgy Foundation in the last five years, with a significant impact in various autonomous communities.
Naturgy community of STEAM women
Similarly, the Naturgy STEAM Women’s Community (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths in English) is a space for connection, collaborative learning and development, where the energy company’s female talent shares specialized knowledge to promote projects.
With very different professional profiles, ages and roles, the women who are part of this community share their passion for science and technology and contribute to generating a more diverse and innovative culture. Scientists, engineers, mathematicians or artists, all of them have the support of the Naturgy Corporate University and are a reference, inside and outside the company itself.
There are Naturgy Women STEAM Communities in Spain, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Panama and Brazil and all of them recently shared experiences, points of view and knowledge in what was their first meeting, at the facilities of Naturgy’s Puente Nuevo Campus. During this first day they had the opportunity to exchange points of view on current topics such as the impact of technology—especially artificial intelligence and foresight—the need to incorporate diverse voices, to recognize inherited biases and to build futures where no one is left out.
Inclusive leadership
In addition, the energy company is also committed to inclusive and sustainable leadership. As María José Fernández, director of People and Renewable Resources at Naturgy, recently stated, one of the most ambitious strategic objectives is to reach 40% of women in management positions, a challenge that, in her opinion, “reflects the commitment to diversity and equality.”
For Fernandez, who participated as a representative of the energy company in Leadership Day 2025, a day that annually brings together leading companies to share experiences and good practices in leadership, diversity and inclusion, at Naturgy “we set the commitment to reach 40% of women in management positions, which has involved a lot of work and leadership based on support, because it is a fundamental path. This commitment is linked to sustainability and other strategic indicators, aligning senior management with the entire organization, through initiatives deployed in different areas. And in this challenge the role of the People team is key,” said Fernandez.