Celebrating Women & Girls in STEM!

This February marked the celebration of the 11th International Day of Women and Girls in Science. In that spirit, we will explore the obstacles confronting women in STEM fields, recognize significant contributions made by women scientists, and discuss potential improvements we can make for our counterparts? in the following read.

Breaking Barriers- Under-representation of Women

A significant issue that we often fail to address is that women still represent nearly two-thirds of adults globally who cannot read, especially in low-resources countries, impacting their access to STEM education and careers.

This highlights a persistent gender gap in terms of basic education, despite efforts to increase female participation in the workplace.

Also, while women manage to constitute 43% of STEM graduates worldwide; when transitioning into STEM-paying jobs, female executives end up occupying just 29% of the C-suite roles globally. With women of color occupying an even lower percentage of 7%. The below graph gives an overview of how the percentage of working women decline as they climb up the corporate ladder.

Innovation Through Diversity

Despite the challenges faced, these are some of the impacts made by women in STEM fields & organizations having been given an opportunity :-?

• Enhanced Revenue & Inclusivity in Female-Led STEM Organizations: Companies with above-average gender diversity on executive teams are 25% more likely to achieve above-average profitability. While, organizations with more women in leadership are perceived as 1.9 times more inclusive.

• Pioneering Discoveries in Medicine and Health: Women constitute over 60% of the health and social care workforce, outperforming most of the other industries.?

• Rapid Re-Skilling of Women in latest technologies such as Gen AI and Machine Learning -?

Young women and girls are taking up a heightened interest in upskilling and learning about the latest tools and technologies. AI is the number one topic women want to learn about, but 63% report a lack of skills and access to training on the job. For women, learning about AI and gaining skills in this field is crucial. As AI is reshaping the future of work, with many industries increasingly relying on AI-driven technologies.

A Legacy of Discovery - Women’s Contributions to STEM

Below are some of the widely known examples of how significant female personalities made an impact in STEM and research-based fields. Their contributions have shaped the world we live in today, and serve as standing examples of the capabilities of women.??

1. Developments in AI Technology - Marissa Meyer In 2018, Mayer co-founded Lumi Labs, a startup focused on building consumer applications powered by AI. This demonstrates her commitment to leveraging AI to solve everyday problems and improve user experiences. Mayer's work emphasizes the importance of user-centric AI, where AI is used to enhance user experience and simplify tasks. She believes that AI should be used to solve valuable problems and give people back time, rather than just being a technological novelty.
2. Discovery of Radioactivity - Marie Curie Marie Curie, along with her husband Pierre Curie discovered two new elements, polonium and radium. Curie's research laid the foundation for nuclear physics and nuclear medicine.
3. Structure of DNA - Rosalind Franklin Rosalind Franklin made critical contributions to understanding the structure of DNA. Her X-ray diffraction images, particularly "Photo 51", provided 1 crucial data that was instrumental in James Watson and Francis Crick's development of the double helix model of DNA.
4. Computer Science - Ada Lovelace Often considered the first computer programmer, Lovelace wrote an algorithm for Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine in the 1840s, envisioning the potential of machines beyond mere calculation. Her understanding of algorithms, computational processes, and the potential of machines to manipulate symbols shaped the fundamental principles of computer science, and paved the way for future software development.

Advocating for Change

Lastly, while we are well aware of the gap that exists between Men vs. Women in STEM fields, below are some of the ways that we can bridge this gap. These changes can be brought about at an individual level, scaling progressively to team and organizational levels to combat the attrition of women from the STEM workforce.

1. Addressing Stereotypes Early - By showing kids a wide range of role models and avoiding limiting stereotypes in toys and education, we can help all children see themselves thriving in STEM.?
2. Providing Mentorship and Sponsorship - Mentorship programs can pair young women with experienced STEM professionals who understand the journey and can offer invaluable guidance and support. Sponsorship programs are even more impactful, where influential leaders actively champion a woman's career growth, opening doors and creating opportunities.
3. Improving Work-Life Balance with Family-Friendly Policies - Juggling work and family is a reality for many women. Supportive policies like flexible work arrangements, affordable childcare, and paid parental leave are essential. Organizations can acknowledge the demands of care-giving by providing the needed flexibility & support, and allow women to thrive in STEM without having to choose between their career and their family.
4. Tackling Workplace Bias and Discrimination - Establishing clear policies against discrimination and harassment, and providing training on unconscious bias is an important step. Creating an inclusive environment where women feel safe and respected is essential for them to focus on their career goals in the workplace & attain success.
5. Enhancing Visibility of Women in STEM - By showcasing women’s achievements through media, conferences, and awards, we inspire the next generation and challenge the outdated notion that STEM is a "man's field." Seeing is believing, and these stories empower young women to pursue their passions.
6. Implement Government Policies and Initiatives - Governments can play a crucial role by funding STEM education programs for girls, supporting research on gender equity in STEM, reducing the pay-gap, and enacting policies that promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. These initiatives create systemic change and level the playing field for women in STEM.

Inspiring the Next Generation

To inspire future women in STEM, we must dismantle stereotypes and showcase diverse role models. Let's inspire more girls to pursue their passion for science, while creating a future where women and men have equal opportunities to contribute to scientific advancements.

We at Infocusp foster an inclusive and growth-oriented work environment. We are an active advocate for women joining and thriving in STEM roles through our focus on innovation and an employee-centric culture.

Come Join Us!

Apply here: https://www.infocusp.com/careers/

Note:

• Article authored by Meghna Sarkar , Senior Business Analyst at Infocusp Innovations
• Image reference links are embedded in the images.