{"id":48679,"date":"2023-07-28T04:21:38","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T08:21:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/?post_type=emagazine&#038;p=48679"},"modified":"2023-07-28T08:32:23","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T12:32:23","slug":"women-in-stem","status":"publish","type":"emagazine","link":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/secure-futures-magazine\/women-in-stem\/48679\/","title":{"rendered":"Are things getting better yet for women in STEM?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are valuable in today\u2019s world. So it\u2019s concerning that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aauw.org\/resources\/research\/the-stem-gap\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">women make up just 28 percent of the STEM workforce globally<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>While countless reports have noted this problem, successful women in STEM have set about making sure young women aspiring to STEM careers have a clearer and fairer path. In Kaspersky\u2019s award-winning podcast Fast Forward, I interview women helping STEM workplaces be more welcoming to women, and supporting women, girls and non-binary people to reach for STEM success<\/p>\n<p><iframe style=\"border: none;min-width: min(100%, 430px);height: 300px\" height=\"300\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.podbean.com\/player-v2\/?i=sc9bd-1463f92-pb&amp;from=pb6admin&amp;pbad=0&amp;square=1&amp;share=1&amp;download=1&amp;rtl=0&amp;fonts=Arial&amp;skin=f6f6f6&amp;font-color=auto&amp;logo_link=episode_page&amp;btn-skin=2baf9e&amp;size=300\" width=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve advocated for encouraging and supporting women in STEM for many years, having myself relied on the belief of senior women and supportive men to take my expertise seriously. It seems there\u2019s still a lot of change to happen. Inspiring and supporting women in STEM careers is essential, especially with shifting careers and jobs in the marketplace across the next decade.<\/p>\n<h2>Towards more supportive workplaces<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_48682\" style=\"width: 310px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-48682\" class=\"wp-image-48682 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2023\/07\/28041205\/patricia-peck-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"patricia peck\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-48682\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Patricia Peck, CEO and founding partner of Peck Advogados, Professor of Digital Law and council member of Brazil\u2019s Data Protection Authority<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Patricia Peck is CEO and founding partner of <a href=\"https:\/\/peckadv.com.br\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Peck Advogados<\/a>, Professor of Digital Law and council member of Brazil\u2019s Data Protection Authority.<\/p>\n<p>Patricia has more than 20 years experience working in a male-led legal environment, with a focus on digital innovation. This led her to examine the scenario for women in STEM.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was at our Supreme Court in Brazil to talk about how platforms must be more responsible for our safety, and I was the only woman speaking. For Brazil and South America, it\u2019s new, but very important to have women in tech and cyber.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Patricia aims to create a culture in her company, Peck Advogados, that helps the next generation of women to flourish. \u201cOur multidisciplinary team is more than 60 percent women. We have a diversity policy, and that\u2019s unusual in law and tech in Latin America.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Patricia, attracting more young talent comes down to understanding what they value. \u201cThey see that we\u2019ll give them growth opportunities. They want clear roles, transparency and meritocracy, and they want to have a purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Young women leading the conversation<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/secure-futures-magazine\/stemettes-stem-training\/36178\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Stemettes<\/a> is an award-winning charity based in London, UK. They run workshops and events for girls, young women and non-binary people aged five to 25, introducing them to role models and careers. These are the words of young women from varied cultural backgrounds now moving into STEM careers.<\/p>\n<p>Angel Pooler, who has been working for three years in web and marketing for STEM activities, feels young women need encouragement to enter STEM fields. \u201cI\u2019ve had to work on my resilience because there are many roadblocks on the way. I\u2019ve learned to acknowledge my limitations, but also my capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAt university, it became clear how male-dominated STEM is, and I often felt inadequate. I now appreciate why the drop-off in female graduates happens,\u201d Angel says.<\/p>\n<p>She encourages those at the top to start the ball rolling. \u201cSTEM industries and universities must create welcoming atmospheres with equal and transparent salaries. Then, they can do outreach in schools and show female students they\u2019re serious about offering careers in STEM.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Maeve Stillman studies Biotechnology at University of Manchester, UK. \u201cI don\u2019t feel super at ease in the job market as an incoming graduate. STEM is exciting but also intimidating. I\u2019m trying to channel positivity and come back to my core aims and beliefs: Thinking about what I want to achieve and the difference I want to make.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Maeve feels inspired by role models. \u201cWhen I see women high up in companies, it\u2019s motivating and helps mitigate some of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/secure-futures-magazine\/overcome-imposter-syndrome\/41030\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">imposter syndrome<\/a> common for women in STEM.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Floriane Fidegnon-Edoh is a first-class graduate in manufacturing and mechanical engineering who has worked for three years with consultancies and think tanks. \u201cWe need to have dynamic conversations about what it means to be a powerful woman.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>I\u2019ve found myself labeled bossy, disruptive or difficult \u2013 that\u2019s the last thing women entering the sector want to hear. Now I\u2019m unapologetically myself in how I speak and the relationships I build. I\u2019m pretty at ease, but it\u2019s taken work.<\/p>\n<cite><p>Floriane Fidegnon-Edoh, manufacturing and mechanical engineering graduate <\/p><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<p>Floriane advises, \u201cTo make STEM more positive for young women, we need to address the gender wage gap. It starts with a culture and ends with the people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kaspersky <a href=\"https:\/\/wit.kaspersky.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">surveyed some 13,000 women working in tech in 19 countries<\/a>. Their report found only one in three women said their school, college or university encouraged them to pursue a tech or IT career. Only one in five were encouraged by meeting female role models in their communities, and more than a third felt this lack of visible role models made them wary of entering the sector. Acknowledging the importance of role models, Kaspersky launched <a href=\"https:\/\/wit.kaspersky.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Empower Women<\/a> project where Kaspersky employees share professional and personal experiences working in cybersecurity. \u201cBy having a supportive environment and network, young women can broaden their options and role models,\u201d comments Judith Tapia, Sales Manager, Mexico. \u201cIt\u2019s important to start eliminating gender roles and stereotypes, including those related to choosing specific careers, from our close social circles at home and school.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Creating new patterns<\/h2>\n<div id=\"attachment_48683\" style=\"width: 240px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-48683\" class=\"wp-image-48683 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2023\/07\/28041606\/stemettes-anne-marie-230x300.jpg\" alt=\"stemettes anne marie\" width=\"230\" height=\"300\"><p id=\"caption-attachment-48683\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, equity and inclusion expert, is CEO of Stemettes and President of the British Science Association<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, equity and inclusion expert, is CEO of Stemettes and President of the British Science Association. She was one of the youngest to receive a Master\u2019s Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from University of Oxford, at age 20. Yet she found men often underestimated her as she moved through her career.<\/p>\n<p>Anne-Marie says, \u201cThere\u2019s much research into why some men find it tough to accept innovation coming from women in the STEM sector. Many are <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pattern_recognition_(psychology)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">pattern-matching<\/a> around what they\u2019ve seen success and innovation look like.\u201d In other words, they\u2019re consciously or unconsciously expecting a tech innovator to resemble a stereotype.<\/p>\n<p>Anne-Marie believes role models are crucial. \u201cWe\u2019re finally seeing stories like the 2016 film <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hidden_Figures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Hidden Figures about NASA<\/a>, where women particularly have led instrumental work. As these stories were hidden, many people \u2013 not just men \u2013 grew up thinking women can\u2019t contribute technically. They can\u2019t imagine a technical woman, let alone one they\u2019d respect or be fine working for.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She points to how underestimating women could be harming innovation. \u201cInnovation may sometimes arise from problems, perspectives or experiences men don\u2019t recognize.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>I asked Anne-Marie how we can ensure women can confidently follow a career path alongside male colleagues. She said, \u201cWe need to listen to and understand women in the STEM sector, those looking to enter and those who\u2019ve left. This means listening to the experiences they\u2019ve had applying for roles, promotion within a role and going into leadership. A first step toward equitable practice is understanding the differences and putting policies in place to address those.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>To avoid unintentionally excluding people, we must intentionally be inclusive and challenge the status quo in our actions.<\/p>\n<cite><p>Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, CEO, Stemettes<\/p><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<h2>Changing the future<\/h2>\n<p>Despite government and corporate reviews, significant news coverage of the gender pay gap and protests over \u2018<a href=\"https:\/\/theconversation.com\/whats-wrong-with-manels-and-what-can-we-do-about-them-148068\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">manels<\/a>\u2018 (all-male panels) at conferences, there hasn\u2019t been enough change for women in STEM. How can we ensure the future is different?<\/p>\n<p>Anne-Marie says, \u201cTen years ago, there were two reports a week talking about this problem. I\u2019m hoping in the next 10 years and hopefully faster, we\u2019ll see a move from lip service to action \u2013 folks taking on allyship and equitable practice, acting on those pledges and reports.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Patricia feels governments must play a stronger part. \u201cI believe regulation has a role. Change won\u2019t be widely implemented by choice. Countries should commit to diversity and protect human rights by law, not just ethics and values.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s not always easy for women in STEM to retain confidence and fulfill their potential. Historical and cultural differences worldwide mean every country is at a different stage. Many schemes and networks emerged in the last decade to encourage girls and women to study STEM, start their own businesses and reach leadership.<\/p>\n<p>But globally, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.abd7664\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">female founders of STEM companies receive less than five <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.science.org\/doi\/10.1126\/sciadv.abd7664\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">percent of STEM investment<\/a>, and in the last 30 years, numbers of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.burohappold.com\/articles\/why-arent-there-more-women-in-engineering\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">women studying engineering have barely increased<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Noushin Shabab, Iranian-born cybersecurity researcher at Kaspersky, says, \u201cWhile gender parity in IT is still nowhere in sight, we need to understand that both men and women have the same brains in the biological sense, and are equally capable of intellectual work.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to Noushin, it\u2019s essential to talk about gender stereotypes early on and encourage girls to take an interest in technology.<\/p>\n<p>Closing the gender gap in STEM isn\u2019t just a matter of right and wrong \u2013 it\u2019s good for business. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fdmgroup.com\/blog\/diversity-for-business-performance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Diverse teams have been shown to widen a company\u2019s customer base<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Many men also believe in equitable practice. Those who acknowledge and speak out about issues women in STEM face can make a huge difference, helping other men reflect inclusive views in the workplace.<\/p>\n<p>Will future equity for women in STEM be held back by lip service? Perhaps regulation is necessary to ensure accountability and action. One thing is certain \u2013 the younger generations of STEM women show that innovation is not bound by gender.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s been much talk of the need to support women who want careers in science, tech, engineering and math (STEM) fields. Is enough being done?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2740,"featured_media":48680,"template":"","coauthors":[4470],"class_list":{"0":"post-48679","1":"emagazine","2":"type-emagazine","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"emagazine-category-women-and-diversity","7":"emagazine-tag-women-in-tech"},"hreflang":[{"hreflang":"x-default","url":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/secure-futures-magazine\/women-in-stem\/48679\/"},{"hreflang":"en-us","url":"https:\/\/usa.kaspersky.com\/blog\/secure-futures-magazine\/women-in-stem\/28651\/"}],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/emagazine\/48679","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/emagazine"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/emagazine"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2740"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/48680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=48679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=48679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}