{"id":627,"date":"2016-05-20T23:23:16","date_gmt":"2016-05-20T23:23:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.studypug.com\/blog\/?p=627"},"modified":"2024-08-09T15:21:46","modified_gmt":"2024-08-09T15:21:46","slug":"girls-in-stem-programs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blog.studypug.com\/girls-in-stem-programs\/","title":{"rendered":"Girls in STEM: the facts behind the gap and how to change it"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Girls in STEM Programs <\/span><\/h2>\n

There\u2019s a <\/span>gender gap<\/span><\/a> worldwide in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce. Although the numbers and percentages vary by country, women everywhere are far less likely to pursue an education or a career in a STEM field. Given that women comprise 50 per cent of the global population, there\u2019s a remarkable waste of potential taking place.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, STEM skills are increasingly important in the job market. The <\/span>Million Women Mentors<\/span><\/a> organization estimates that 71 per cent of all jobs in the United States 2018 will require these skills. If we don\u2019t interest girls in STEM subjects while they\u2019re young, there is a danger that they will be left behind when it comes to career opportunities. For example, there currently is a lack of women mathematicians, female physicists, and women in astronomy. So what can be done? <\/span><\/p>\n

Girls in Science \u2013 What the Numbers Tell Us <\/span><\/h3>\n

Let\u2019s examine some of the data. In Canada, only 31 per cent of university graduates in science, technology, engineering and <\/span>mathematics<\/span><\/a> (STEM) fields are women, says Statistics Canada. Even more discouraging, female scientists comprised only 21 per cent of the Canadian STEM workforce in 2014.<\/span><\/p>\n

The United States can\u2019t claim to be leading the way either. American women comprise only 24 per cent of the STEM workforce, and, just as disheartening, 50 per cent of women drop out of STEM positions after 10 years.<\/span><\/p>\n

Women In STEM <\/span><\/h3>\n

UNESCO, the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization, has examined the percentage of women who pursue STEM research careers, and many powerful or populous countries are falling down on the job when it comes to encouraging and empowering women. Only 20 per cent of nations worldwide have achieved gender parity when it comes to having women scientists carry out scientific research. <\/span><\/p>\n

For example, China, with its massive, growing population, is no shining star; only 35 per cent of its researchers are women. In Japan, with its sophisticated technology, only 15 per cent of researchers are women. However, Malaysia (50 per cent), New Zealand and the Philippines (52 per cent apiece), Thailand (53 per cent), New Zealand and Myanmar (86 per cent) have breached the parity barrier.<\/span><\/p>\n

In Europe, the United Kingdom can only claim that women hold 38 per cent of the STEM research jobs, while in Sweden, known for many progressive social policies, it\u2019s only 37 per cent. In Russia, women hold only 41 per cent of STEM research jobs. Tiny Monaco, however, can boast that 50 per cent of its researchers are female.<\/span><\/p>\n

Latin America has four countries that can claim a respectable number of female researchers: Bolivia (62 per cent), Venezuela (56 per cent), Argentina (53 per cent) and Paraguay (52 per cent). <\/span><\/p>\n

The numbers make it quite clear that there\u2019s work to do in encouraging women to pursue STEM careers. Luckily, a number of organizations and governments are entering the fray, exploring why the problem exists and attempting to rectify it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Women in Science and Technology<\/span><\/h2>\n