The presence of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is underrepresented. Cultural and gender stereotypes influence the ability of girls from a very young age. This results in discrimination and biasness which impacts their performance.
To overcome the issue, this article suggests recommendations that can increase the presence of women in STEM. Additionally, you will also learn about the benefits that societies can enjoy if the ratio of women in STEM is increased.
Recommendations to Increase the Presence of Women in STEM
1. Breaking Stereotypes
The stereotypical image that promotes the gender gap persists in STEM subjects and fields. These stereotypes steer women away from studying science, technology, engineering, and math.
The stereotypes such as men are good at math, continue to play a key role in strengthening the ongoing discrimination and underrepresentation of women in STEM fields. Women experience these stereotypes from an early age which impacts their STEM choices and careers.
These stereotypes can be eliminated by taking steps at different stages of an individual’s life and different places. They are discussed below.
2. Discourage Bias
The second important thing is the awareness of bias attitude that most of us hold unconsciously. To learn about biasness following steps should be considered.
- Companies and educational institutes should continuously conduct seminars and trainings to raise awareness about gender bias and stereotypes associated with STEM.
- It is very important for mentors and teachers to evaluate and embrace individuals on their skills not gender.
- Individuals in leadership positions should especially be aware of their explicit and implicit biases, so they can promote gender neutral working environment for their employees.
- Individuals can evaluate their associations with any gender by taking online tests such as Project Implicit.
3. Influencing Children’s Mindset
The false image that our society and culture have developed needs to be changed. And the beginning point can be the minds of young boys and girls.
Labels associated with what is good for girls and boys are so prevalent that the children at the age of six are aware of them. Once the image is built it is difficult to change.
The early education system can be used as a tool to correct what we are teaching to our kids. Gender associations about who is smart and well-suited to study science, math, or engineering can be changed.
- It is imperative for our educational systems to establish role models that include diversity. Promoting diversity and the association of women with STEM from an early age can have a positive impact on girls.
- Educational institutes can promote STEM in young girls by introducing extracurricular STEM programs. This is a significant way to increase and retain girls in STEM subjects.
- Patents and teachers can educate children in their teens or even early about the stereotypes associated with gender.
4. Encouraging Girls for STEM Subjects
Cultural beliefs and stereotypical educational systems have influenced STEM subjects and careers. It is the reason that girls are usually not interested in STEM because they think they are not good enough to study math and science.
Girls assess their abilities below boys because of gender stereotypes. Low self-esteem and low self-assessment shatter their courage and girls avoid studying STEM subjects.
To overcome this problem educational institutes can play an important role.
- Educational institutes, of all levels, have the unique opportunity to give confidence to girls about their ability to succeed in math and science subjects. Schools, colleges and universities can teach students about cultural and social stereotypes associated with gender.
- Schools can offer an environment that promotes a growth mindset for girls. An open-minded and growth mindset approach gives confidence to an individual in accepting challenges and improving their skills.
- Similarly, girls can be taught that new skills can be learned and with practice, they can get better day by day. Educational institutions can praise girls for their capabilities and achievements to excel in math and science subjects.
5. Equal and Inclusive Workplace Culture
Women joining the traditionally male dominated STEM fields face discrimination at different levels. Once entered they are expected to fulfill certain stereotypical criteria and assumptions. To minimize such discriminatory practices we need a more inclusive workplace.
- Firstly, companies should adopt a gender-neutral hiring process. Studies suggest that a female’s CV can be ignored just because of her name (Stefanie et. al., 2016). Gender-blind hiring policies are required.
- Secondly, employers should ensure that their workplaces are inclusive for everyone. Vital information about career advancement, promotions, and project work material should be shared with everyone.
- Companies should adopt strict and clear harassment and discriminatory policies.
- Balance in personal and professional life is important for the performance of any employee. Hence, policies that acknowledge and support a balanced life should be the priority of companies.
6. Promote Female Role Models
The performance of girls and women can be negatively influenced by the idea that men are well-suited for STEM fields. To break the stereotype that men are better than women in STEM fields following steps can be adopted.
- Gender stereotypes can be eliminated by identifying and celebrating successful women in STEM.
- Successful female role models in STEM should be discussed as the spotlight in schools, colleges, and universities. This practice is mandatory to inspire and encourage young girls and women to study STEM subjects.
- Recognizing and sharing the achievements of women with both boys and girls will help to eliminate the stereotypical association of gender with STEM subjects.
- The presence of female faculty in schools, colleges, and universities can also play a key role in breaking the gender stereotypes and inspiring girls and women.
7. Narrows the Gender Wage Gap
The gender pay gap is an issue that persists across countries. There are several reasons that strengthens the gender pay gap. But ironically, women face pay discrimination in the highest paid fields of STEM.
Women face discrimination and receive low pay in STEM jobs in the first ten years of their careers (Xu, 2016). The discriminatory practices not only demotivate women but decrease their retention rate.
To cope with the problem governmental institutions must develop policies that address the elephant in the room. Some countries have initiated the process that can be an inspiration for others.
In the UK, all large companies are required to publish data on the bonuses and the mean and median hourly wages that males and females receive. A similar initiative was adopted by Germany. Where companies with more than 500 employees were asked to public gender parity reports periodically. Such practices should be mandatory for all small and medium size companies.
Benefits of Women in STEM
Promoting women in STEM leads to various advantages for our society.
1. Innovation and Creativity
The inclusion of women in STEM increases the level of innovation and creativity to solve some of the most challenging issues of our time. Scientists can find effective solutions in the fields of medicine, environment, energy, etc if they consider diverse viewpoints.
Men and women look at a problem from different angles and directions. So to solve a problem they use different approaches. This boosts the level of innovation and creativity.
2. Improved Product Designs
Gender diversity is very important when designing a product. Engineers of one gender will never be able to understand the needs of other genders. Hence, gender inclusion is vital.
Including female engineers in designing a product or service adds the female perspective to it. The product is designed keeping in view the needs of females. A diverse group of engineers come up with better designs and address the needs of all users.
3. Decrease in Occupational Segregation
Occupational segregation is an issue that strengthens gender inequality and increases the gender pay gap. Equal pay and gender equality in a society can be achieved when occupation is not associated with gender but with skill and competence.
Embracing and encouraging women to join STEM fields reduces occupational segregation and promotes gender equality in society. Even though women in STEM earn less than men, they tend to earn more than women in other sectors.
4. Economic Growth
Women comprise half of the world’s population and they can play an important role in the economic development of a country. This can be achieved if authorities successfully target women to join the STEM workforce.
The rapid evolution in technology and increase in the digital economy demands the active participation of women in STEM fields. Closing the gender gap can empower women, leading to economic growth and job creation. It will increase the labor supply as well as increase the access of women in well-paid jobs.
Concluding Remarks
This article sheds light on increasing the participation of women in STEM fields. It suggests 7 recommendations that can be adopted by our educational institutes and workplaces. One of the main problems that hinders women from entering STEM fields is the stereotypes that somehow benefit men.
Along with this, the workplace culture discourages women from actively participating and climbing the corporate ladder. The important thing is that this issue is being discussed on different platforms. However, there is still a long way ahead. Until then women working in STEM may feel discriminated and forced to join other fields that pay well and are less demanding.
FAQ
What steps can be taken to increase the presence of women in STEM?
Broadly speaking 7 steps can increase the of women in the STEM
- Breaking Stereotypes
- Discouraging Bias
- Influencing the Minds of Children
- Encouraging girls to study STEM subjects
- Promoting equal and inclusive workplace culture
- Promoting female role models
- Narrowing the gender pay gap
What are the benefits of increasing women in STEM fields?
There are many benefits but as a start women in STEM lead to;
- Innovation and creativity
- Improved product designs
- Economic growth
- Occupational inclusion and gender equality
