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Meet 13 Women Who Are Closing the Gender Gap in STEM
Science, technology, engineering and math move the world forward.
Why is it, then, that across much of the globe, girls are not given equal support to pursue these fields, known collectively as STEM, in the classroom or, later, in the workplace?
Several studies paint the same picture: Girls are less inclined to pursue jobs in science and mathematics, despite often performing just as well as boys and, in some countries, scoring better than boys, on science and mathematics exams.
Though this gender gap is shrinking in the classroom, it still shows up prominently in many workplaces. A 2023 World Economic Forum study of LinkedIn data revealed that globally, women make up just 29% of STEM workers, about 1.5% higher than in 2015.
As women around the world fight for gender equality, their efforts are being noticed. The United Nations has declared Feb. 11 the International Day of Women and Girls in Science as “a reminder that women and girls play a critical role in science and technology communities and that their participation should be strengthened.”
Global Press Journal’s all-women team of reporters hit the ground to find the women of STEM — the ones fighting for equal representation. Meet the women who are breaking into this male-dominated field and proving that their place is in the lab.
Hemu Kafley, Kathmandu, Nepal
Environmental scientist and the founder of the Kathmandu Institute of Applied Science
“Tools that comprehensively monitor the extent, severity and likely duration of drought at local to regional scales are essential for protecting agricultural economies and the livelihood of farmers and the general population. I was inspired to address some of these deficiencies in a scientific manner by building a low-cost mobile weather station and distributing this technology among Nepali communities. My proudest moment was to be able to make our prototype low-cost weather station a commercial-level product. We are constantly developing our product through research and also testing in different climatic conditions.”
Environmental scientist and the founder of the Kathmandu Institute of Applied Science
“Tools that comprehensively monitor the extent, severity and likely duration of drought at local to regional scales are essential for protecting agricultural economies and the livelihood of farmers and the general population. I was inspired to address some of these deficiencies in a scientific manner by building a low-cost mobile weather station and distributing this technology among Nepali communities. My proudest moment was to be able to make our prototype low-cost weather station a commercial-level product. We are constantly developing our product through research and also testing in different climatic conditions.”
Laura Pey, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Archaeologist
“My parents were huge history aficionados. They took me to innumerable museums and archeological sites. I enjoyed those types of trips a lot because I felt I was traveling not just geographically but through time. I think the greatest achievement lies in continuing to carry out scientific research with the same passion and interest for archeology [that I had] when I first started on this path. It encourages me to continue growing professionally by opening myself up to additional questions, different perspectives and new tools. But it also allows me to build bridges to share and spread that enthusiasm for learning about the past to a larger audience, especially young people.”
Archaeologist
“My parents were huge history aficionados. They took me to innumerable museums and archeological sites. I enjoyed those types of trips a lot because I felt I was traveling not just geographically but through time. I think the greatest achievement lies in continuing to carry out scientific research with the same passion and interest for archeology [that I had] when I first started on this path. It encourages me to continue growing professionally by opening myself up to additional questions, different perspectives and new tools. But it also allows me to build bridges to share and spread that enthusiasm for learning about the past to a larger audience, especially young people.”
Sheilla Namara, Kyanja, Kampala district, Uganda
Production Assistant at Fundi Bots
“I have learned and mastered how to operate a CNC Router machine. I learned how to cut circuit boards using one route machine. I have been able to make 3D models such as hands for the company to be used for learning so that students can see the muscles and biceps, even though I had never done it before. I am learning to code for robots and making schematic drawings, among other things. I am learning, researching and bettering myself in my work. Sometimes, I give ideas about something and it’s ignored until we try everything and fail. Then they come back to me for my ideas. I am happy to be in a workplace that encourages learning.”
Production Assistant at Fundi Bots
“I have learned and mastered how to operate a CNC Router machine. I learned how to cut circuit boards using one route machine. I have been able to make 3D models such as hands for the company to be used for learning so that students can see the muscles and biceps, even though I had never done it before. I am learning to code for robots and making schematic drawings, among other things. I am learning, researching and bettering myself in my work. Sometimes, I give ideas about something and it’s ignored until we try everything and fail. Then they come back to me for my ideas. I am happy to be in a workplace that encourages learning.”
Gisela Báez Sánchez, Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Geologist, geophysical data analyst and coordinator of the Division for Data Analysis and Processing of Puerto Rico Seismic Network
“Geology captivated me so much. I love geology because you need every type of scientific knowledge: chemistry, biology, physics... I believe that, when you’re born with that ‘curiosity chip,’ you’ll always try to do experiments. My daughters are always telling me, ‘But everything you do is an experiment.’ And it’s true because the scientific method is useful for everything in life.”
Geologist, geophysical data analyst and coordinator of the Division for Data Analysis and Processing of Puerto Rico Seismic Network
“Geology captivated me so much. I love geology because you need every type of scientific knowledge: chemistry, biology, physics... I believe that, when you’re born with that ‘curiosity chip,’ you’ll always try to do experiments. My daughters are always telling me, ‘But everything you do is an experiment.’ And it’s true because the scientific method is useful for everything in life.”
Yolanda del Carmen Pérez Luna, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, Mexico
Biochemical engineer, Ph.D. in ecology and sustainable development, national researcher
“I wanted to earn a university degree, but I also wanted to give back to society. I found a wonderful intersection between teaching young people, developing projects and applying what I was doing, and telling them these anecdotes to encourage the idea in them that, ‘Yes, I’m studying, but at some point, I have to apply it and give what I’m learning back to my community, to my group.’”
Biochemical engineer, Ph.D. in ecology and sustainable development, national researcher
“I wanted to earn a university degree, but I also wanted to give back to society. I found a wonderful intersection between teaching young people, developing projects and applying what I was doing, and telling them these anecdotes to encourage the idea in them that, ‘Yes, I’m studying, but at some point, I have to apply it and give what I’m learning back to my community, to my group.’”
Chidochashe Buka, Harare, Zimbabwe
Biotechnology and bioinformatics student at Midlands State University and laboratory technician trainee at Labnetics Medical Laboratories
“From the time I was a child, I loved science, specifically biology. I like working with the human body and helping people get better,” she says. Buka says it's not easy to work in the field of science as it is regarded to be more masculine, and she has also faced that criticism in school, “Sciences are deemed to be for males all the time and as a female in science sometimes people look down upon you thinking you can’t do it,” she says. Buka says she is proud that she has pulled through for the three years she has been in school, excelling in her exams.
Biotechnology and bioinformatics student at Midlands State University and laboratory technician trainee at Labnetics Medical Laboratories
“From the time I was a child, I loved science, specifically biology. I like working with the human body and helping people get better,” she says. Buka says it's not easy to work in the field of science as it is regarded to be more masculine, and she has also faced that criticism in school, “Sciences are deemed to be for males all the time and as a female in science sometimes people look down upon you thinking you can’t do it,” she says. Buka says she is proud that she has pulled through for the three years she has been in school, excelling in her exams.
Rosibel Carrada Legaria, Puebla, Mexico
Professor in the physics and applied physics degree programs at Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
“Having a life plan intertwined with science is very satisfying because science is a way of life, and you cannot truly separate one from the other. They complement each other. It is wonderful to be a mother [involved in] science because, starting when they are very young, your children experience things that other children don’t experience, for example, a much more intimate exposure to scientific activities.”
Professor in the physics and applied physics degree programs at Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla
“Having a life plan intertwined with science is very satisfying because science is a way of life, and you cannot truly separate one from the other. They complement each other. It is wonderful to be a mother [involved in] science because, starting when they are very young, your children experience things that other children don’t experience, for example, a much more intimate exposure to scientific activities.”
Pratibha Poudel, Birendranagar, Surkhet, Karnali province, Nepal
Assistant professor of organic chemistry at Mid-West University
“I had a desire to be known as a famous scientist, but for women, not everything they want is possible; household management also hinders them, and in some cases, the economic situation also does not allow them to move forward. In some cases, society does not easily accept the fact that female teachers teach science, and it is sad. I feel very proud to teach science, especially chemistry, to students from the remote districts of western Nepal.”
Assistant professor of organic chemistry at Mid-West University
“I had a desire to be known as a famous scientist, but for women, not everything they want is possible; household management also hinders them, and in some cases, the economic situation also does not allow them to move forward. In some cases, society does not easily accept the fact that female teachers teach science, and it is sad. I feel very proud to teach science, especially chemistry, to students from the remote districts of western Nepal.”
Lizbeth Dávila Santiago, Arecibo, Puerto Rico
Microbiologist
Lizbeth Dávila Santiago says she feels proud to be an Afro-Boricua woman scientist serving the public university. “Listening to the needs [of others] and creating solutions based on those needs, I think that is the definition of science. And as a scientist, I understand there are few scientists who have that connection. I feel that’s really missing, and it’s missing in academia as well.”
Microbiologist
Lizbeth Dávila Santiago says she feels proud to be an Afro-Boricua woman scientist serving the public university. “Listening to the needs [of others] and creating solutions based on those needs, I think that is the definition of science. And as a scientist, I understand there are few scientists who have that connection. I feel that’s really missing, and it’s missing in academia as well.”
Oyunchimeg Baljinnyam, Murun, Khuvsgul province, Mongolia
Electronics engineer
Oyunchimeg Baljinnyam says she followed in her older brother’s footsteps when she chose the profession of electronic engineering. She says, “If the electricity is cut, life will stop,” and adds, “I am proud of having a life-sustaining work that spreads light and energy like the sun.”
Electronics engineer
Oyunchimeg Baljinnyam says she followed in her older brother’s footsteps when she chose the profession of electronic engineering. She says, “If the electricity is cut, life will stop,” and adds, “I am proud of having a life-sustaining work that spreads light and energy like the sun.”
Janet Murindagomo, Harare, Zimbabwe
Physics teacher
“Most people are quite skeptical about a woman teaching physics and mathematics. They look at the subject as masculine, and a female physics teacher is something they are not accustomed to. When people hear that there is a science teacher at my house, they always assume it’s my husband.”
Physics teacher
“Most people are quite skeptical about a woman teaching physics and mathematics. They look at the subject as masculine, and a female physics teacher is something they are not accustomed to. When people hear that there is a science teacher at my house, they always assume it’s my husband.”
Paola Sotomayor Landrón, Naguabo, Puerto Rico
Marine biologist
“The ocean was my inspiration. Ever since I was little, I’ve lived by the beach. And the beach was always the place to go at any time. I remember how, when I was little, I said my favorite animal was the shark. I began to read a lot about them. Although I knew a great deal, I didn’t see it as a possibility, until the day I tagged my first shark. And now I'm the coordinator of this project. Yes, it is possible.”
Marine biologist
“The ocean was my inspiration. Ever since I was little, I’ve lived by the beach. And the beach was always the place to go at any time. I remember how, when I was little, I said my favorite animal was the shark. I began to read a lot about them. Although I knew a great deal, I didn’t see it as a possibility, until the day I tagged my first shark. And now I'm the coordinator of this project. Yes, it is possible.”
Tista Prasai Joshi, Lalitpur, Bagmati province, Nepal
Senior scientific officer for the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology
“In a patriarchal country like ours, my dream is for every woman to feel equal and respected at home and at work. Every woman should have the right to an education, employment opportunities and financial freedom.”
Senior scientific officer for the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology
“In a patriarchal country like ours, my dream is for every woman to feel equal and respected at home and at work. Every woman should have the right to an education, employment opportunities and financial freedom.”
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