The Importance of Encouraging Women in STEM
In Collaboration with GOALS Inc. (with featured writers, Ashwika Musku and Sofia Abraham)
Causes of Disparities for Women In Stem
According to Harvard University’s article Women in STEM Need More Than a Law, studies have shown that factors including the “lack of models, cultures that tend to exclude women, and persistent stereotypes about women’s intellectual abilities, reinforce the wide gender gap.” Yet this disparity between men and women is not because of differences between intelligence, skill, ability, or competence. The same article reaffirms that women are “no less capable” than men in STEM-related fields. A factor that contributes to the gender gap in stem is implicit bias. According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), implicit bias can affect people’s attitudes towards a woman's likelihood of cultivating her own interest in STEM itself as well as a career in STEM. AAUW also discusses how others judge women as less competent than men when in a STEM position unless they are successful. Even then, successful women are still deemed “less likable.”
Statistics Regarding Women In Stem
It is common for girls to be steered away from science, math, and other STEM related pathways throughout their education – limiting their access and opportunities to get into such fields as adults. Countless numbers of research, studies, and surveys have shown that disparities of women in STEM related jobs are drastic. For starters, research has shown that women are far less likely to graduate with a degree in STEM or enter a career in STEM when compared to men. According to AAUW, women only make up 28% of the workforce in STEM, and men vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields in college as well. Additionally, women of color are even less likely to find the encouragement that they need to pursue careers in STEM pathways. Consequently, gender gaps are particularly high in some of the fastest-growing and highest-paid jobs of the future – like computer science and engineering – making them almost exclusive to men.
The Importance of Empowerment of Women in STEM
Gender is not what determines one’s competency, yet women face bias everyday in the man-dominated industry of STEM. 73% of workers in STEM are men. Empowering young women in STEM is important because not only is it a step towards decreasing the gaping gap between men and women workers in STEM, it is also a step towards destroying the actual wage gap. Empowering women in STEM opens the doors to new perspectives into the field, and it increases the diversity and inclusivity of STEM overall. Everyone has learned about Niel Armstrong, Albert Einstein, and Charles Darwin in school. But does anyone learn about Katherine Freese, Rachel Carson, or Elizabeth Anionwu? The world needs to advocate and fight for gender equality in STEM so that young girls growing up today can see representation in their dream field – they need to see that young girls who were dreamers became successful women in STEM, encouraging them to continue their passions.
Working Towards an Equal Future in STEM
It is important to empower women and young girls in STEM because the world is no place for sexism and misogyny. STEM is a field for everyone. Gender equality is a human right and not only does it result in a brighter, more diverse future, it also results in economic prosperity, the safety of women, and a happier world where women are not deemed inferior or less competent just because of their gender. There are many ways to empower women and work towards gender equality in STEM: supporting women leadership, looking out for hate or violence against women and putting a stop to it, removing gender stereotypes, promoting equal opportunity, and more – the steps towards equity are infinite. To all the young girls out there - know that if you are passionate about STEM or anything, your gender does not define you or your competence. Mae Jemison – the first African American woman astronaut in space – is a strong example of perseverance and strength against misogyny and sexism in the field of STEM. She said “don't let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It's your place in the world; it's your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.” To all women and young girls pursuing/passionate about STEM – persevere and never stop because a man tells you too.
Works Cited
AAUW. www.aauw.org/resources/research/the-stem-gap/. Accessed 28 Apr. 2023.
ERIC. eric.ed.gov/?id=ED509653. Accessed 28 Apr. 2023.
The Harvard Gazette. 22 June 2022, news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2022/06/women-in-stem-need-more-than-a-law/. Accessed 28 Apr. 2023.
Interesting Engineering. 8 Mar. 2018, interestingengineering.com/culture/25-quotes-from-powerful-women-in-stem-who-will-inspire-you. Accessed 28 Apr. 2023.
United States Census Bureau. 26 Jan. 2021, www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/01/women-making-gains-in-stem-occupations-but-still-underrepresented.html#:~:text=Men%20made%20up%2052%25%20of,up%2048%25%20of%20all%20workers. Accessed 28 Apr. 2023.