Chronicles of the announced disinterest: a survey on gender, pandemic, harassment and inequality in three public research centers in Mexico
Abstract
This article presents the results of a survey conducted among female researchers at three Mexican public research centers (CIBNOR, CIAD, and CICESE), which aimed to explore their perceptions regarding gender equity, working conditions, motherhood, workplace harassment, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although participation was limited (33%, 34 out of 103 potential respondents), the data collected offer a critical view of the structural tensions faced by women in the scientific field. Findings reveal that, despite a general sense of job satisfaction, respondents reported persistent experiences of unequal treatment, domestic overload, and limited access to leadership positions. Notably, 44.1% of participants stated they had experienced workplace harassment, yet only 40% of those cases were reported. This highlighting a lack of trust in institutional support mechanisms. Moreover, most respondents were over 50 years old, suggesting a possible lack of engagement from younger generations—perhaps due to fear of retaliation, institutional disaffection, or skepticism regarding the effectiveness of such consultations. This study shows that both responses and silences must be interpreted critically. Mexican science urgently needs stronger gender equity policies, reliable mechanisms to address harassment, and institutional spaces that listen to, protect, and value the diverse voices that comprise its academic community.
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