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PARIS, October 28, 2024 – A new report produced by UNESCO in collaboration with the G20 demonstrates the chronic under-representation of women in scientific studies and professions.
Thus, the Organization calls on countries to take strong measures to reinforce gender equality in these fields as quickly as possible.
“In the G20 countries, the proportion of women working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is plateauing at 22 ppercent. This situation undermines our collective ability to innovate and respond to the pressing challenges of our time, such as climate change and digital transformation. At Brazil’s instigation, UNESCO has produced a report highlighting this situation and recommending a series of actions to finally move towards gender equality,” said Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.
Within the framework of the Women’s Empowerment Working Group (WEWG), which met for the first time during the Brazilian Presidency of the G20, and drawing on its mandate and expertise in the fields of education and science, UNESCO has sent G20 members the report “Changing the Equation”, a comprehensive overview of the presence of women in STEM fields.
The report shows that the proportion of women working in STEM occupations has increased only slightly over 15 years in G20 countries (22 percent in 2021, compared with 19 percent in 2005) as well as in many other regions of the world. Also indicated by the report is when they do work in these fields, women face pay gaps that can be considerable, as well as limited opportunities for career advancement.
In the 10 G20 countries for which data is available, the average salary of women working in STEM fields is at most 88 percent of that earned by men — in four countries it’s even less than 75 percent. Scientific grants are a key financial resource for many researchers, yet in 2022 women accounted for just 37 percent of recipients in a sample of 13 countries, including 10 G20 members.
Gender inequalities are already apparent at school. Due to persistent gender bias and discrimination, women account for just 35 percent of STEM university graduates in G20 countries, even though they perform as well or better than men in terms of academic results. This proportion drops to 29 percent in information and communication technologies (ICT), and just 26 percent in engineering, manufacturing and construction. Additionally, over 40 percent of women studying STEM subjects say they have been victims of sexist behavior.
To address this situation, UNESCO calls on G20 countries to adopt cross-cutting policies in favor of gender equality, not only by developing the aspirations of girls and women to pursue studies in STEM fields, but also by ensuring fair and equitable working conditions for young female graduates.
This means combating gender bias in teaching materials, providing gender-sensitive career advice, and creating supportive policies that enable women to reconcile work and family life without penalty, while ensuring that their work is recognized and compensated fairly. (♡)
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About UNESCO
With 194 Member States, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization contributes to peace and security by leading multilateral cooperation on education, science, culture, communication and information. With Headquarters in Paris, UNESCO has offices in 54 countries and employs over 2,300 people. UNESCO oversees more than 2,000 World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks; networks of Creative, Learning, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities; and over 13,000 associated schools, university chairs, training and research institutions. Its Director-General is Audrey Azoulay.
“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed” – UNESCO Constitution, 1945.
More information: http://www.unesco.org