Three Strategies for Overcoming STEM Gender Gaps

Over the last two decades, women and girls have made significant gains in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers and education.?

• The average percentage of women employed in the EU across 27 countries is 22.1%
• In the UK, government data shows that in 2019 women made up 24% of core-STEM positions?
• The number of women in STEM occupations in the U.S. increased to 27% in 2019
• The EU country leading the way in closing the STEM gender gap is Luxembourg where women comprise 36% of their STEM workforce

Around the world, women account for 35 percent of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students in higher education. Research shows that global women’s enrollment in STEM college courses rises about 6% annually. In the UK, 35% of STEM students in higher education are women. Here in Saudi Arabia, women make up an impressive 38% of the students pursuing graduate and Ph.D. studies at the STEM-only KAUST university.?

While there is still considerable room for growth before we see the gender gap closed across the overall field, we are certainly on the right track towards increasing women’s representation in STEM. Now is the time to take action that will continue to reinvigorate the headway women are making and clear the path for future women in STEM.

1. Provide wraparound support services for girls

The availability of programs and support systems geared towards women in STEM fields has soared in recent years. After-school clubs, internships, job shadowing, and women-led panel discussions are just a few examples of programs tasked with increasing the exposure to career possibilities within STEM. While we want to encourage young women to see STEM careers as a possible path, we also want to provide them with the tools needed to see themselves succeeding in those careers. The Girl Scouts of America is?encouraging parents and educators to expose young women to the sciences while encouraging girls to critically think as STEMinists.?

Growing the pipeline of women in STEM industries requires more than just learning opportunities. Girls need additional types of support including access to safe spaces, mental health services, and high-quality internet that allows for virtual learning. We not only want to expose young women across the world to career possibilities, we also want to make sure there are fewer obstacles standing in their way of achieving these goals.?

2. Bring renewed focus to corporate STEM initiatives

While the spotlight of increasing numbers of women in STEM is often shining on girls and young women, current women in the workforce should also be educated and supported about career opportunities. A MetLife report shows that 1 in 3 women who considered pursuing a career in STEM say they don’t know where to start, which provides employers with both a tremendous opportunity and responsibility when it comes to growing the number of women in STEM. Businesses need to encourage women at every career stage to join, from entry-level to executive-level. For women who are re-entering the workforce or required to find a new role, organizations can provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities for a STEM job within the company. A former employer of mine, Rolls Royce, sets the bar for corporate STEM initiatives with their STEM Education Outreach Programme.?

3. Become a mentor

When girls and young women are given exposure to successful women in STEM fields, it can help boost their confidence in pursuing their career path and provide inspiration and role models to look up to. STEM mentorships are more beneficial when started early, as girls begin doubting their STEM intelligence by age six and can continue to lose confidence in math and sciences as they grow. Female STEM role models can be a powerful influence on future generations and can make a career in these fields seem attractive and attainable. Women who are in decision-making roles in STEM organizations can help up-and-coming women STEM professionals navigate college, enter the workforce, and advance their careers. As a mentor, women already in STEM leadership roles can ensure that other women are inspired and empowered to grow their careers.

We should celebrate the advancements that women have made in the STEM field as we continue to support and help pave the way for the future.??Strategies like these create growth opportunities for women and girls in STEM and provide STEM fields with a wide range of diverse and fresh perspectives. We must look to ALL of our population to ensure that we are attracting our best and brightest minds to the field.?