Empowering women in STEM: Why is there a gender gap and what can be done?

MANILA, Philippines — The persistent gender gap in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) necessitates investigating why such exists.

Data from the UN Scientific Education and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) show that less than 30% of the world’s researchers are women and only 30% of female students select STEM-related fields in higher education.

Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in Information and Communications Technology (3%), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5%), and engineering, manufacturing and construction (8%).

While girls initially outperform boys in mathematics and science in primary and secondary institutions across ASEAN countries, a gender gap starts to appear in tertiary STEM education, with only 19.3% of women obtaining STEM degrees compared to 39.8% of men.

The 2022 UN progress report on “SDG 5: Gender Equality” reveals that only 20% of jobs in STEM are held by women globally.

Research and studies have shown that several factors may be at play: gender stereotypes, male-dominated cultures, a lack of role models for girls, lack of support from parents and teachers, sexism in STEM departments and workplaces, biased research, historical underrepresentation of women in STEM, systemic discrimination, and cultural barriers, among others.

Empowering women and girls and achieving gender equality are essential for building inclusive, open and prosperous societies.

The international community recognizes that gender equality contributes significantly to poverty reduction and inclusive growth. It is, therefore, a matter of basic social justice.

Increasing the presence of women in STEM through education, training and employment not only enhances scientific and financial outcomes but also promotes diversity in the workforce—fostering a broader range of perspectives and ideas that can give organizations a competitive advantage.

But because of the aforementioned reasons for the existing gender gap, there is an ongoing need for societal change, advocacy efforts and new ways of addressing the issue.

Recognizing the urgency of these issues, the UK, through the ASEAN-UK Supporting the Advancement of