Description: Why we should empower more women to branch out into the field of science, technology, engineering and Maths, which is currently a realm that has been dominated by males. NB: STEM Is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. (Written by Science tutor Shayda and edited by Telios Tutors).
With over 80% of the current STEM workforce being males there is a clear need to reduce the gender inequality that exists today within the field. STEM subjects offer a hands-on integrated approach and allow students to build skills often overlooked in other subjects such as critical-thinking, problem solving and exploratory learning. These skills then can be translated into engaging, creative and highly rewarding future careers. However, more needs to be done to encourage young girls to pursue these careers. 
So why do we need more women in STEM?
Women have the possibility to change the world! Currently, men are two times more likely to sit on decision-making boards, this means less women are in positions of power. As a result, women have very little influence on possible policy changes within STEM based fields that can help shape the future of our world. Let us explore this with the example of Climate Change…
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines ‘Climate Change’ as:
“The change of climate that is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and that is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods”.
Thankfully with the help of global climate change actors such as Sir David Attenborough and Greta Thunberg (an influential young lady J) we can see more people becoming engaged and aware of this modern day crisis!
How is climate change related to women?
The role of women is essential to help tackle climate change. This is because across societies the implications of climate change affect women and men differently. Across the globe some countries still persist with rigid gender roles i.e. women are responsible for gathering food and collecting water.
Inevitably these tasks will become more difficult for women due to climate change with evidence suggesting that women will be disproportionally affected by climate change.
Furthermore, women have the capability and knowledge to create practical solutions to tackling climate change, utilising a more inclusive and empathetic approach to problem solving.
Unfortunately, the limited access to political decision-making platforms, restricted access to financial resources, technology and training, means women have limited ability to help tackle climate change. With the Sustainable Development Goal deadline approaching in 2030, more needs to be done NOW to help inspire young women to participate in STEM.
Therefore, to create a sustainable solution to climate change, it is paramount that women’s knowledge and capabilities are recognised and represented in decision-making, education and caretaking in order to design and reach long-term solutions. In fact the United Nations Women (2015) stated that:
“Women’s empowerment and gender equality have a catalytic effect on the achievement of human development, good governance, sustained peace, and harmonious dynamics between the environment and human populations”.
I hope this example of climate change illustrates how pivotal the role of women is in the future of our world, studying STEM based subjects grants women a platform to express their views and help shape policies that will inevitably impact people’s lives for the best. Climate change is simply one example of the millions of debates that women do not have a voice in. I am passionate about driving this change to support women in being authorities in this field.
Why am I passionate about women and their role in the future of our world?
Currently, I am studying MSc Global Health and Development at UCL after completing my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Sheffield. The course (Global Health and Development) gives me understanding of how we tackle the most challenging health problems our world faces today. The course enables me to design and implement strategies to help resolve and prevent current health challenges both here in the UK and internationally across the globe, examples include infectious outbreaks (i.e. Ebola), non-communicable diseases (i.e. cancer), climate change and health implications and conflict and humanitarianism, to name a few.
My vision for the future is to see more women in senior roles within STEM, thus helping reform current practises and polices to help make a real positive impact on our world. And finally it is not all about medicine and dentistry (even though these careers are amazing and essential) there is a whole plethora of STEM careers out there from economists, software developers, mechanical engineers, research scientists, astrophysicists and animators and the list goes on and on and on!
Interested in pursuing the field of STEM as a female? Contact us to discuss more with our private tutor Shayda M.