In this era of advancements STEM Fields yet are mostly occupied by men, reasons being many, backing right from history to the present women contribute very less in the stem workforces. Women population have always been a minority in these fields, while we observe situations evolve to a noticeable extent in this century. But there is a greater need to increase the ratio of women in stem.
Causes that contribute!
Misconceptions about women’s abilities in mathematics and science and Lack of encouragement for women in these fields are the root reasons that are driving women away from these fields. Many studies prove that there are no innate cognitive biological differences among men and women. The social conditioning bares a major blame, the society has built this stigma that women is inferior in science, tech and mathematics. Lack of exposure, lack of encouragement, lack of proper facilities available or can also say lack of opportunities right from learning stage makes women a step lagging to compete equally in these fields.
We also find many women graduates of science stream drop from STEM Fields, this comes up with its own reasons like, lack of equal respect and no better treatment at work place, male domination, pressure to keep on proving themselves, society and the image about women’s working life in Stem, contributes a lot for a woman to drop from the STEM Careers. Also, the wage gap inside the sector itself is so huge, that disappoints young women to choose careers in STEM Field, and reinforces the concept that women are not as good as men in stem. Also, the conservative boundaries, orthodox ideology imposed and restrictions forced on girls shuts their dreams and path to reach STEM careers. It is difficult for women to explore the field because of no proper guidance and lack of role model in the field makes them feel uncertain about their own survival in the sector.
Gender gap in STEM leads to?
This inequality in the gender ratio in the STEM Sector not just leaves the women unempowered and unrepresented but also narrows down the society and its development focusing only on male population and the solutions and innovations applied through the filed are exclusively from male thought orientation, leading to creation of a biased kind of society.
Though from childhood girls and boys tend to show equal skills in problem solving and analysis later after reaching to high school the scene changes and we see girls dropping to choose science and mathematics streams though they are equally potential, this happens very unconsciously and the blame goes to the false stigmas built in the society, social influence impacts a lot on the student’s aspiration to pursue career. Studies prove that girls can develop same skills with the same level and form of training as that boys do receive.
Something Hopeful and Inspiring!
Over time, we can find that women entering into STEM careers and excelling their roles in the field For instance, missile woman of India, Tessy Thomas, chairperson of Infosys Sudha Murthy, Seetha Coleman-Kammula, Nandini Harinath, Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and many other women like them have created their own niche in the STEM Sector and are turned as role models not just for women population but for the entire, with all their talent and hard work
Positively from past few years we can observe women getting into stem has increased, though it is not so satisfactory rise but we must believe and work for better ahead.
To eradicate this gap young girls should be provided with good standard education without any constraints, girls should be given the liberty to explore and learn, parents and schools should never bring up the false myths that they are incapable, instead parents and teachers should encourage girls in science and math streams and should motivate girls to build and learn abilities without any inferiority thought about themselves. STEM Industries must be a little more open to take in talented women and should ensure a trust worthy work life with dignity and respect on same grounds as of men.
