‘Close gender gap in science’

WOMEN in science are vital for the future of our rapidly changing world.

This was the message from the UN as the world observed the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

According to the UN, less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women. Unesco data suggests that only 30% of women choose science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) fields in higher education.

Women are particularly poorly represented in information technology, where they account for just 3% of student enrolments. In natural sciences, mathematics and statistics, just 5% of students are women, while in engineering and construction that figure is 8%.

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, executive director of UN Women, said the contributions of women are crucial for innovation in the future.

“Women’s and girls’ voices and expertise in science, technology and innovation are vital to bringing solutions to the disruptive change in our rapidly evolving world,” she said in a statement. “We urgently need to close the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields and actively promote gender equality in science, technology and innovation careers.”

Dr Taime Sylvester, chairperson of the Association of South African Women in Science and Engineering, said that there are many initiatives to encourage girls to pursue science.

“I think people are trying, but there’s still a lot of work to be done in South Africa,” she said. “The gender gap is huge.”

Sylvester said interest in science and mathematics should be nurtured and encouraged from a young age – and also confidence for girls to grow up believing they are every bit as capable as boys in Stem fields.