Gener Equity Challenges in Mexican High Education and Women Insertion in Labour Market

Abstract

In this paper it is analyzed and discussed the rapid involvement of women in higher education in Mexico since the seventies. While in 1969 women percentage in this academic level was only 17 %, it has reached 50 % since the year 2000 (percentage almost triplicated in 30 years). Aside from this fact, there have been certain changes in percentages of women, in different knowledge areas, such as health sciences and social and administrative sciences. Men occupied, until the eighties, higher ratios in these areas; but today women occupy 61 % and 57 %, respectively. However, as in many other countries, engineering fields have the lowest percentages of women (only 25 %), although it has increased three times in a period of 20 years. The discussion of the facts mentioned above is based on gender perspectives, in terms of social, familiar and economical implications for professional women that try to involve in work force and face many obstacles. Finally, a proposal is made to keep working on public policies oriented towards gender equity.