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Celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science

International Day of Women and Girls in Science serves as a reminder of the gender disparities that persist in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Women who are researchers at OUCRU © OUCRU

According to a recent report by the United Nations, women represent just 35% of the global STEM workforce, with a strikingly low 12% of female members in national science academies. This imbalance is particularly stark in South Asia and Southeast Asia, where women make up just 23% and 27% of the STEM workforce, respectively.

These disparities are not just numbers, they reflect a broader structural issue. The persistent “leaky pipeline” and the “glass ceiling”, coupled with the absence of visible role models, prevent many women from advancing in their careers in STEM.  

Addressing gender inequity in STEM requires a global approach, one that encourages collaboration across institutions and regions, while recognising the importance of tailoring solutions to local contexts. Instead of applying a one-size-fits-all model, the focus should be on sharing knowledge and best practices, enriching each other’s perspectives, and developing informed, locally relevant strategies. 

To find out more about how NDM’s units are supporting women in STEM, read the latest news stories from OUCRU and KEMRI:

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