Gender equality in science: Pathway to sustainable development
On the occasion of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, I wrote a blog in German for the media platform SHEconomy - Die Wirtschaftsplattform für Frauen. 365 Tage im Jahr. :Chancengleichheit in der Wissenschaft: Nachhaltige Entwicklung für alle - Sheconomy Wirtschaftsmagazin. Read the English translation below.
Knowledge and the sustainable application of science and technology are becoming increasingly important for realizing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs). With seven years remaining to meet the 2030 target, science has the potential to evolve rapidly during emergencies when people collaborate during a shared challenge. The global response to develop new vaccines on an unprecedented timeline during the pandemic is a testimony of the indispensable significance of science in today’s day and age.
On the one hand, it can be a unifying force, on the other it can also create new inequalities or exacerbate existing ones. At the core of this imbalance lie economic and social divides, as well as gender bias in education and workplaces. UNESCO estimates that only 28% of engineering graduates and 40% of computer science graduates are women, accounting for less than 30% of researchers worldwide, and only 1 in 5 professionals in emerging fields such as AI. A recent McKinsey study highlights that if the proportion of women in technology jobs were to increase from 22% today to 45% in 2027, European GDP would rise from €260 billion to €600 billion.
To break down the present barriers for women, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the order to promote full and equal access and participation for women and girls in science. The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is marked on 11 February to celebrate women and girls in science and technology.
Making science accessible
Education in #STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) combined with the ability to reflect on context and consequence, along with 21st-century skills such as creativity, problem-solving and collaboration will pave the way for sustainable innovations. It will unlock ways of addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Particularly, the climate crisis, which is unfortunately not gender-neutral. According to the UN Environment Programme , 80% of people displaced by climate change are women, aggravating existing gender inequalities and posing unique threats to their livelihoods, health, and safety. No wonder women and girls have emerged as some of the most creative and vocal advocates in the united fight against climate change. Therefore, plugging the gender gap and creating more opportunities for women in STEAM areas is crucial to include women’s contribution to innovation.
Catching them young for lifelong learning
As the world around us is evolving rapidly, we need to prepare our next generation for unprecedented future realities. STEAM fields are at the forefront of innovation; therefore, introducing evidence-based learning and critical thinking from an early age lays the foundation for lifelong learning. In Latin America, Siemens Stiftung 's Experimento 3+ program introduces preschool children to gender equality through inquiry-based lessons. In Germany, we will celebrate the "Day of the Little Scientists" (13.06.2023) on the theme of space adventure with Stiftung Kinder forschen . Kindergartens, day-care centers and primary schools will organize a day of activities to ignite children's interest in science. The German Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (Federal Ministry for Education and Research) is also celebrating Science Year 2023 on the theme of space. With a greater and more creative push towards these subjects, the aspiration is to inspire girls and boys at the most impressionable period of their lives to pursue further education on this path.
领英推荐
From kindergarten to high school: atingi a digital learning platform from the German Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, offers tailored e-Learning courses for students. Developed by 德国国际合作机构 , Siemens Stiftung is implementing courses on vocational orientation linked to #STEM content for underserved African youth - enabling them to pursue careers in technology and science: as software developers, paramedics, or “agripreneur”. For young African girls, facing discrimination in terms of access to education and jobs, such innovative and free online resources come in handy where established education systems fail.
Transforming the gender parity?
In Europe too, women need equal learning and leadership opportunities. The European Institute of Gender Equality projects reducing the gender gap in STEM fields would increase EU employment by 850,000 people by 2050. The gender pay gap still sticks out as a sore thumb in today's society, with women in Germany still earning 18% less than men on average in Germany. It's time for us to invest in women's future and create a more equal and fairer society and train them for future growth sectors, such as the green and digital economy. Ultimately, this would contribute to reducing the gender wage gap and help boost employment.
Increasingly governments are striving to use scientific advancement for transformative development, however, it would be disproportionate if science is not accessible to the other half of society. The UN underlines gender equality as a fundamental right. Women are not only at the receiving end of the most critical global challenges but also possess ideas and leadership to solve them. SDG 5 on #GenderEquality is an integral part of each of the 17 goals. We can achieve economic justice and inclusion, and progress toward a modern and sustainable society only by ensuring women's rights across all goals.