International Day of Women and Girls in Science
At present, less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women. Moreover, according to the UNESCO data, only around 30% of all female students select Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields in higher education1, while the 2020 Global Gender Gap Report maintains that the attainment of women in STEM, in Malta, is below 9%.
In this context, in order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/212 declaring 11th February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
To commemorate this day, the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality (NCPE) interviewed two professional women long established in the field, namely Ing Helga Pizzuto, Chairperson of the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA) and Ms Anna Spiteri, Founder & Managing Director at Integrated Resources Management Co Ltd. Both women broke traditional gender stereotypes and opted for professions that are generally associated with men. Their experiences shed light on how gender should not limit one’s interests and potential.
Along the years, women have shown that they are just as capable as men to be great scientists and researchers. Both women mentioned several instances when they experienced significant personal satisfaction throughout their career. Ing Pizzuto recounted that she had experiences in different technical sectors, all of which had their satisfying moments. In the early days of her career Ing Pizzuto led an engineering team in a tech manufacturing company and, she
Many years later she led the transition from national analogue to digital television
These were two very memorable projects of national importance which she was very privileged to lead.
Additionally, in 2006, she was elected president of the Chamber of Engineers
and, in 2011, she was elected president of the Federation of Professional Bodies. On the other hand, Ms Spiteri said that when she
The lack of women working in STEM fields is influenced by the cultural stereotypes in our society that serve as a major obstacle for women pursuing careers in science and research, not to mention the workplace environment.
In fact, Ms Spiteri said that one time when she asked her boss to also consider her for a promotion, he replied, that he sees her as
She could not develop her potential and abilities if she stayed waiting for opportunities to be given to her, so she created her own opportunities. Indeed, by 1995, Ms Spiteri was no longer employed, and by 1996 she got her first EU research project with partners from Ireland, UK, France, Lebanon and Turkey,
Moreover, Ing Pizzuto emphasised that her
In fact, she believes that this remains a key obstacle for many women today.
When asked why women are needed in science and research, both women stressed that women provide a completely different perspective from that of men. added Ing Pizzuto.
Pushing yourself forward in a largely male environment, whether while studying or at work requires determination. It is for this reason that we need to encourage girls and women to follow their aspirations and abilities and make informed choices regarding their studies and careers in STEM. It is always important for society to continue working to challenge and eliminate gender stereotypes and empower young girls in the classroom and young women at the workplace to increase their participations in these fields.
Indeed, both women stated that schools and other education systems play a key role in determining girls’ interest in STEM fields and in providing equal opportunities to access and benefit from quality STEM education. Teachers, assessment methods and tools, learning contents, materials, and equipment are all critical to ensuring girls’ interest in STEM subjects and, eventually, in STEM careers.
As António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, said
https://www.un.org/en/observances/women-and-girls-inscience-day http://www3.weforum.org/doc s/WEF_GGGR_2020.pdf
Ibid