Gender diversity in information sciences is essential for fostering inclusive, innovative, and equitable research. The participation of women and individuals of diverse gender identities enriches knowledge production and helps reduce biases in technology development and scientific decision-making.

Despite progress towards gender equality, women remain underrepresented in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). According to UNESCO, only 35% of students enrolled in these fields are women, and their presence is even lower in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, where they account for just 20% of professionals. This lack of diversity not only limits perspectives within research teams but also contributes to the development of technological solutions that may unintentionally reinforce biases and inequalities.

Each 11th of February, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science reminds us of the importance of promoting gender inclusion in scientific research and education. Established by the United Nations in 2015, this day highlights the need to eliminate structural barriers that hinder women’s access to academic and professional opportunities.

In this context, initiatives like GEDIS (Gender Diversity in Information Science: Challenges in Higher Education) play a key role in advancing gender equity in higher education. Based at the University of Barcelona (UB), the GEDIS project examines the integration of gender perspectives in information science education, identifies challenges, and proposes strategies for improvement. One of its key contributions is the development of self-assessment tools to evaluate gender equity in academic programmes and professional training.

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This work "Information Science" by Juan-José Boté-Vericad is licensed under All rights reserved