- According to a report by UNESCO, women remains considerably under-represented across STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) studies and careers.
- The report says that globally only 29% of those in science research and development are women with a lowest in south and west Asia at 19% and the highest in central Asia with 48%.
- The reason for low representation is because most women do not identify themselves with STEM and assumes that these subjects won’t align with their desire to be creative and make an impact in the world.
- This has further widen the gender gap in the technology world.It has also lead to women missing their contribution to the next generation of technologies and innovation.
- The report has recommended that teachers and technologists should take up the responsibility in building a passion for STEM subjects among women students by designing computer science curriculum around societal challenges and giving young women more exposure to female role models.
- Microsoft has also launched an initiative for this purpose to encourage women to pursue careers in STEM and the company has been working to get students and young women excited about STEM subjects.
Women still under-represented in science, tech
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