Today is International Women’s Day (IWD). If you are tired of hearing about the lack of gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), this post is not for you. If it makes you tired that in 2024 this remains an issue, read on. We all have a role to play in closing the gender equality gap. Some people have more influence than others, but we can all play a part in moving the dial.
The 2024 theme for IWD is “Invest in women: Accelerate progress.” From UN Women, I particularly like this statement: “Investing in women and championing gender equality turbocharges a future where everyone in society can thrive, creating a world of boundless opportunity and empowerment for all.”
There are so many good reasons for empowering women and helping them succeed. If you are the type of person who appreciates figures and data, UN Women states that closing gender gaps in employment could boost GDP per capita by 20 per cent. Further, “It is estimated that closing the gender gap could give the global economy a USD 7 trillion boost” according to a Moody’s Analytics report released in March 2023. UN Women has also shown that what is good for women is also good for business. “Companies greatly benefit from increasing employment and leadership opportunities for women, which is shown to increase organizational effectiveness and growth. It is estimated that companies with three or more women in senior management functions score higher in all dimensions of organizational performance.”
Fairness, equality and common sense are also good arguments for paying women the same as men, giving them the same job opportunities as men, and supporting paid maternity leave so women can leave their jobs to care for newborns knowing that they have a job to return to. (And I’m barely touching on the reasons why paid maternity leave is crucial for women and society.)
The gender gap in STEM
In the STEM field, the gender gap is “still gaping in 2023” according to this blog post from MIT Professional Education. Clara Piloto writes “In 2023, the gender gap in STEM remains significant, with women making up only 28% of the STEM workforce. If we look at places worldwide where we might hope to find better news, the statistics give us pause. The figure stands at 24% in the United States, 17% in the European Union,16% in Japan, and 14% in India.” (Go to the blog for the sources behind those statistics.)
The Government of Canada says that women make up less than 25 per cent of people in STEM careers and a report from Randstad quotes Statistics Canada as follows: “34% of Canadians with a STEM degree are women. They make up only 23% of Canadians working in science and technology.”
But enough with the statistics.
Making a difference
What can be done to improve the situation? Change is slow, but there are already a myriad of initiatives, such as scholarships, policies, programs, and more, which are focused on this issue. Governments, academic institutions, private corporations and not-for-profit groups around the world all participate in addressing this issue.
But we don’t have to leave it to “them.” As individuals, we can also work to improve the situation. Here are some suggestions:
Be a mentor. Women and men can mentor women who are considering pursuing an education and career in STEM.
Be visible and vocal. Young women need role models so women who are already employed in STEM careers need to be public and make themselves heard. If you like public speaking, put up your hand to speak on panels, to be a media spokesperson, to present at conferences. Maybe you prefer writing and can find a suitable outlet to share your knowledge and/or opinions. Or join a committee or board and make your voice heard that way.
EDI at work. Make sure your organization has equity, diversity and inclusion policies that include flexible work arrangements so that women who have worked hard for their STEM degrees and careers can remain in the workforce. Mentoring and sponsorship programs are also important.
Join a STEM group or establish your own. I’ve provided some suggestions below. Consider establishing a local chapter.
Here is just a sample of some groups to follow/join/support:
International/global –
National Girls Collaborative Project
Canada/Toronto –
Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology
Canadian Association for Girls in Science
Ingenium Canada – Women in STEM
Visions of Science – encourages marginalized youth in Toronto – not just girls – to pursue STEM
Get political. Run for a public office and change policies or, if that’s too much – and I realize it’s a lot – join a campaign and support a candidate who wants to make a difference.
And speaking of being political – this is International Women’s Day after all – there was important news this week that France added abortion rights to its constitution. Hillary Margolis writes in Human Rights Watch: “Though abortion has been legal in France since 1975, the historic move aims to establish a safeguard in the face of global attacks on abortion access and sexual and reproductive health rights.” President Emmanuel Macron took this step in reaction to the United States’ Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade in June 2022. Read her article for other things France can and should be doing to protect women’s rights.
While abortion is legal in Canada, it’s not enshrined in the constitution as France has done.
To end on a lighter note, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert pokes fun at some brands that made a “clumsy attempt” to celebrate International Women’s Day. Watch it below.
Stacey Johnson
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