As the years progress, we seem to be ever edging closer to a world in which women are finally granted equality since they are already achieving prestigious roles within society, speaking out against oppression and making a stand throughout the world of work. The year of 2019 is upon us and with great strides for Women’s Rights already being made, it seems we are heading in the right direction. However, statistics present us with an intriguing contradiction: as the world seems to encourage women into STEM careers, decreasing numbers seem to make it.
Occupations within STEM, otherwise known as Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths, are seen as some of the hardest to grasp onto, and quite possibly the most competitive fields to work in. Prior to university stage, the qualifications needed in order to just study these subjects are extremely demanding and require extensive knowledge alongside dedication, but careers available to students with STEM degrees under their belt are very rewarding and prove why it takes great depths to reach them. Passion for these aforementioned subjects is in no way decreasing, in fact, many young women are fuelled by the fact that they could make advances in a male-dominated field. So, what is blocking female students from obtaining these positions?
At university level, statistics seem to reveal the undeniable absence of women within STEM subjects. In 2016/17, a staggering 82% of Engineering students, 63% of Mathematical Science students and 83% of those studying Computer Science were men, though out of over a million students enrolling in non-science subject areas, 61% were women, according to Higher Education Student Statistics. There is certainly not a lack of young women achieving university places, but the underrepresentation for female students in subjects such as Engineering, may be due to damaging past stereotypes and both factors may be in a vicious cycle of deterring women from an occupation within STEM.
Previously, subjects such as Computer Science and Maths were marketed in schools for boys, and the prospect of girls learning such subjects was shocking since they all seemed to be destined for Languages, English and Humanities. Many believe the absence of women across STEM is down to the simple fact that they just don’t want to be in these fields, but the assumption that young girls don’t dream to be future Engineers and Mathematicians is incorrect and these opinions are based on outdated mindsets, though unfortunately may still play a part in the lack of women that go on to study these subjects at university. Despite this, there has recently been a push to promote STEM subjects to girls in secondary schools across the country, and Imperial College London for example recently held an event for Year 11 students to explore the prospect of studying them in their facilities.
Opportunities like the aforementioned may be the starting point of a newly inspired generation and are fundamental to change the worrying statistics that currently stand. Schools should actively be encouraging girls to study subjects such as Computer Science, Sciences and Maths where available, helping girls recognise the threat of stereotypes and providing opportunities to change the harsh reality they currently face. A mere 24% of people employed within STEM industry are women and the lack of female students currently studying STEM subjects versus the recent empowerment of women is a strange paradox, but by dismantling social barriers and foregrounding inclusivity, who’s to say this won’t change?
