2nd EDI Training: ‘Beyond law: Invisible Barriers to Women’s Access to Public Life’

Speaker: Soledad Escobar Villegas

PhD in Political Science and García Pelayo Research Fellow at the Centre for Political and Constitutional Studies, Ministry of the Presidency (Spain).

Abstract: Over the last decades, Western societies has introduced significant legislative changes aimed at promoting gender equality and increasing the representation of women in decision-making positions. However, legal progress does not always translate into equal participation in practice.

This seminar will examine the gender representation gap in politics and society by distinguishing between formal legislative advances and the structural constraints and internal dynamics within political and social environments that continue to limit women’s access to the public sphere. The session will analyze patterns of underrepresentation and explore factors such as unequal career progression, workplace cultures, and informal power structures. It adopts an intersectional approach, considering not only gender but also women’s ethnic and cultural backgrounds. The aim is to encourage students to critically assess how social and institutional systems shape women’s representation.

This seminar aligns with the objectives of the scientific outreach and culture component outlined in the Severo Ochoa project (CEX2020-001007-S, funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033). In addition to scientific excellence, this project highlights the center’s commitment to a strong program of training and outreach activities with high social impact. In this context, organizing training activities on equality, diversity, and inclusion helps to reinforce the role of the IFT as an institution committed to social responsibility and the continuous improvement of the scientific environment. This seminar provides tools to analyze the structural barriers present in the scientific field, particularly in STEM disciplines such as theoretical physics, aligning with the objectives of attracting and retaining diverse talent that foster an inclusive scientific environment.