Women and Science: past, present and future over a struggling and challenging way of communication

The under-representation of women in science is still a problem all over the world due to the existence of societal, cultural, and structural barriers that prevent them from participating to scientific research and communication. This work provides an overview of these barriers in the past and in the present in science. Then, a brief analysis of the current state of gender inequality in science and scientific communication, using evidence from the world, European Union and Italy, is reported and discussed. Furthermore, specific measures that can be taken to reduce and overcome gender inequalities, considering science communication practices, are outlined stressing the necessity of ensuring equal opportunities for all within the scientific community and its communication processes.