Engineering research has been characterized as a field of action mainly for men in Colombia, however, it has been observed that this trend has been changing especially in areas of engineering where women are increasingly represented, as seen in the research groups of UNIMINUTO (Cali) and FADP that are developed around engineering areas. This article allows visualizing the increase in the number of women who are interested in participating in different activities of social and research impact in engineering areas, involving activities such as creation and participation in the development of projects, participation in academic events, scientific writing and innovation in engineering areas, as well as a perception of why the interest and permanence of women in the research groups. Among the most relevant aspects for the formation of students in the research groups is the formative research through the use of different learning methodologies that lead to the resolution of problems in engineering areas always with a social approach. The articulation and motivation of the academic programs are of great relevance to achieve an increase in the participation of women in engineering areas in relation to the gap that has been constantly presented in relation to the male gender.