“Are women not inclined towards maths and sciences? Or only men have that special gene required to grasp science, engineering and maths subjects?
Then why is it that when we talk about STEM, it is completely the playground for boys & men.
Data from the National Science Foundation shows that while 52% of women enrolled for science, technology, engineering and math courses for their graduation, only 29% of them actually joined the STEM workforce.
Even at the C-suite level only 3% of women hold the post of CEOs in the STEM Industry.
It’s not like women are not studying these subjects. According to World Bank data, women make up nearly 43% of the total graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in India—one of the highest in the world—but just 14% of scientists, engineers, and technologists in research development institutions and universities.
So how does a problem this unique emerge?
While boys are pushed to take sciences and maths, girls are pushed towards social sciences. Look at our toys, Little scientist for boys, and jewellery-maker the girls.
This bias then travels to when it comes to hiring the STEM workforce—men make up a larger portion of entry level jobs, and when women do get hired, they face imposter syndrome.“
These are excerpts from Mugdha Kalra’s article for BQ Prime.
This will only change when we have an institutional effort to push women into STEM and change the conversations at home.
Don’t just teach girls how to cook and clean; push your boys to learn that as well. And dont just push boys to learn coding and change tyres, make girls learn it too.
Equality starts at home. Right?
Featured image is for representational purposes only.