G7 Ministers Confirm Need to Promote Gender Equality in STEM Disciplines

Promoting the participation of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine (STEMM) education and careers was one priority identified by G7 Ministers during its first Summit on Gender Equality, The Summit talks, which concluded on November 16th, focused on women's economic empowerment as a driver of global growth and development.

Main discussion topics were: redesigning the labor market; legislative measures to increase female leadership roles; and gender violence.

Prime Minister Trudeau, the host country for 2018, has indicated that gender equality will be showcased at the G7 Summit in 2018. At the Gender Summit, held in Montreal earlier this month, Kirsty Duncan, Canada's Minister of Science, confirmed equity and diversity in science as a priority for her mandate. Recent changes to the Canada Research Chairs program is an example. More to come.