Gender balance in STEM in 2025

As of recent reports, women make up about 28% of the workforce in STEM-related jobs globally, with specific fields like computer science and engineering seeing particularly low representation.

So how we keep momentum for women in STEM in 2025? There is no doubt that Covid-19 put us back or at least delayed some of the momentum but there is hope going into 2025. Here are several key opportunities for the New Year.

a. Mentorship and Sponsorship

• Mentorship Programs: Providing women with mentors—especially those in senior or technical positions—can help them navigate the challenges of STEM careers. Mentorship can be instrumental in providing guidance on technical skills, career development, and navigating the often male-dominated workplace culture.
• Sponsorship: Sponsorship is different from mentorship in that it involves advocating for a protégé’s career advancement. Women who have sponsors—senior individuals who actively champion their career—are more likely to rise into leadership positions.

b. Focus on Soft Skills and Interdisciplinary Skills

• Communication and Collaboration: As STEM careers become more interdisciplinary, women have the opportunity to leverage their often superior communication and collaboration skills. Many STEM fields now value team-based projects, creativity, and problem-solving abilities, where women’s strengths can be seen as an asset.
• Entrepreneurship in STEM: The growing tech startup ecosystem offers more opportunities for women to create their own companies or lead innovative projects. The rise of female entrepreneurs in STEM is an encouraging trend, and it could potentially shift the traditional power structures that have excluded women.

c. Building Inclusive STEM Cultures

• Inclusive Curriculum: One way to empower young women to pursue STEM is by making educational environments more inclusive. This includes integrating more diverse perspectives into curricula and challenging the stereotypes that often deter girls from pursuing subjects like physics or computer science.
• Flexible Work Policies: Offering flexible work hours, remote work options, and other accommodations can help retain women in STEM careers, allowing them to balance work and family responsibilities. Companies that lead the way in offering these options are more likely to attract top female talent.

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