Innovative Activity by Gender in Latin America: a patent study

The Red Iberoamericana de Ciencia, Tecnologia e Innovacion shows that there is relatively few information about science and technology activities by gender in most Latin American countries. This research aims to contribute on the issue of gender and technology through the study of gender participation in patenting activity in Latin America. Patents from 1990 to 2006 are analyzed. The sampled countries are Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Chile and Venezuela. The source of information is the United States Patent and Trademarks Office (USPTO). This study finds that 20% of the inventions involve female participation. Countries with greater gender inequality in innovative activities are Peru, Argentina and Mexico. Women are more involved in the areas of Chemistry and Metallurgy.