A recent UNESCO research found that 57 percent of STEM graduates in the Middle East are female, rising to 61 percent in the UAE. There has been a growing awareness that more women need to be represented in these fields if we are to ensure future growth and sustainability. There has also been an increase in initiatives aimed at encouraging girls' interest in STEM subjects at school or university level. Despite this development, female scientists continue to encounter workforce challenges, and as such, support is crucial.
Causes of lack of female representation
The glass ceiling still exists for female researchers, where the number of women drops as they advance in their careers, most likely due to difficulties and obstacles.
While women make up half of the global population, they occupy only 15% of all jobs in STEM fields and hold only 2% of senior management positions in the same sectors.
The reasons for this disparity are many and complex, but they often boil down to a lack of access to education, training and support systems that would allow women to pursue careers in these fields. It is important to note that the low representation of women in STEM careers is not unique to the MENA region; it's a global problem that has persisted for decades.
Gender Stereotypes: STEM fields are frequently perceived as masculine, and teachers and parents frequently underestimate girls' arithmetic aptitude beginning in preschool.
Male-dominated cultures: Because fewer women study and work in STEM professions, these fields tend to perpetuate inflexible, exclusionary, male-dominated cultures that are neither supportive of or appealing to women and minorities.
Fewer Role Models/mentors: Because there are few representations of female scientists and engineers in books, media, and popular culture, females have fewer role models to stimulate their interest in these disciplines.
How do we fix this?
There are a few things that could be done to encourage more women to study science, technology, engineering and math (STEM):
1. Understanding Bias matters: Recognizing the problem and comprehending the significance of unconscious bias is the first step toward improving conditions for women in STEM. It all begins with the pipeline. There are discrepancies in the number of women entering STEM fields, and unconscious bias that happens during the educational process plays a role. According to studies, there is a bias favoring male students among scientific faculty members. More training and workshops on prejudice elimination are needed in this industry. The first step toward making positive changes is becoming aware of the problem and our role in its existence.
2. Representation matters: Women in the STEM profession, in addition to men, must be emphasized and discussed. While Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin are included in textbooks, pupils are less familiar with women who made significant contributions to the STEM area. If the organization produces an internal newsletter, recognizing influential women in STEM such as Gertrude B. Elion and Maria Goeppert-Mayer might be an effective inclusion technique. Women are also underrepresented on STEM industry boards. Companies must make a concerted effort to increase the number of female leaders and board members in their organizations.
3. Mentorship matters: There is a need for additional organizations that support women entering STEM disciplines. According to research, women in the STEM professions cite isolation, unfriendly work situations, and a lack of effective sponsors as reasons for leaving the field. For female STEM professionals to connect with other accomplished women in their workplace and field, organizations should offer mentoring opportunities.