I guess most of the people do not know because women were facing many issues and barriers in the entry and advancement.
But now women are breaking the stereotypes and succeeding a long way and there is a great shift as they are reshaping the STEM and fostering innovation like anything. More and more women are pursuing their career in STEM, and becoming the great example for the youth and coming generations. Their achievements are serving as the powerful examples and showing the world that the gender is and will never be a barrier for them in any of the field.
Young girls are greatly impacted by this grater exposure and representation, which dispels their preconceptions and encouraging them to follow their hobbies and interests without setting the boundaries. By seeing the women’s successful in STEM, they can imagine themselves taking comparable routes and advancing innovation and knowledge.
Slowly and gradually the increasing participation of women in STEM field is reaching the heights. It is not only promoting gender equality but also unlocking the pool of talent and prospective candidates who can focus towards creativity and innovation. Further, more women in STEM fields are solving some of the most important global issues such as expanding medical advancements, combatting climate change, discovering sustainable energy solutions, and exploring the limits of space.
Talking about the limits of space a recent example of Sunita Williams who is truly breaking the stereotypes of women succeeding in the field of STEM. Sunita Williams who is an Indian- American NASA astronaut has made a history of record and achievements after coming back on earth after spending 287 days in space.
Women in this STEM jobs are more drawn than men and those who felt this way have raised number of concerns which includes pay gaps and partial treatment from their colleagues. The workplace discrimination about gender inequalities is more in IT industry.
The existence of female leaders and mentors in STEM fields offers priceless direction and assistance, and helps in overcoming the obstacles that women may encounter in these historically male-dominated fields.
Mentors play a very important role in fulfilling the “dream gaps” in the STEM field by offering young women and girls the guidance, support, and encouragement so that they can navigate the challenges and build their confidence in their inherent capabilities.
They can also guide them on the essential skills needed for success in the STEM field. The effective and efficient mentorship does not only help in empowerment but also motivates them to be successful in STEM jobs, which is necessary for removing the “dream gap”
HOW CAN SOMEONE ENCOURAGE THE WOMEN TO ENTER AND STAY IN STEM CAREERS
- Begin early: Because these misconceptions are so widespread, parents and educators should intervene to prevent girls from thinking that they are less intelligent and, hence, less fit for STEM fields.
- Promote women in STEM: Showing youngsters the successful women’s who are STEM professionals can also help them to dispel this stereotype.
- Restructure the education system: The female students should be encouraged in the school by taking their questions seriously and making sure that they see some hope in the STEM careers.
- Gather information and highlight gender gaps: The government and organizations should keep a close eye on gender gaps and draw attention to the disparities between the experiences of men and women in STEM fields, including discrepancies in access to research funding, working conditions, and relative remuneration.
- Look for innovative approaches to raise awareness and support STEM: The stereotypes that prevent women from pursuing STEM careers can be dispelled by educational institutions, governments, corporations, and society at large. Setting aside funds to create a supportive and nurturing workplace is one of the finest methods to achieve that.
In recent times the workplaces have been implementing gender-sensitive policies to foster an inclusive atmosphere. HR rules on parental leave, flexible scheduling, and anti-harassment have been given priority as the number of women in STEM has increased. It is now widely accepted that companies that prioritize gender balance perform better than their counterparts.
Talking out on topics like equal pay is crucial for women in STEM today because it puts pressure on employers to hire more women for a variety of positions. Additionally, networking and finding a mentor early in your profession will help you succeed as a woman.
Evolutionary theory suggests that taking risks is a masculine quality, whereas women are risk-averse. A wealth of studies demonstrated that men and women simply recognize risk in different ways. Men tend to make decisions based more on intuition, but women make decisions based on data, analysis, and risk assessment’
To sum up it all women make better and more resolute decisions. They therefore want to lay solid, long-lasting foundations more than anyone else.
Blog By:
Dr. Aditi Pareek
Assistant Professor
Biyani Girls College