Lidia Brito
Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, UNESCO
Imagine the breakthroughs we might achieve if half the world’s population were fully represented in the pursuit of scientific discovery. Yet, today, women remain significantly underrepresented in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
According to a recent UNESCO report, women comprise just 22% of the STEM workforce in G20 countries — a figure that has barely shifted from 19% in 2005.
Need for more women in STEM
A world with more women in science would mean more inclusive research, addressing diverse needs and perspectives. Diseases that disproportionately affect women might receive the attention they deserve. Studies show that gender-diverse teams are more creative and innovative, driving solutions that benefit entire societies rather than just a select few.
Despite excelling in academic performance, UNESCO reports that women account for only 35% of STEM graduates in G20 countries, dropping to just 26% in engineering and manufacturing. Over 40% of female STEM students report experiencing sexist behaviour, discouraging many from pursuing long-term careers in the field. In some countries, women in STEM earn just 85% of what their male counterparts do. Globally, women researchers received only 37% of scientific grants in 2022.
Closing the gender gap in
science is not just about
recognising inequalities.
Solutions to close the science gender gap
Closing the gender gap in science is not just about recognising inequalities. Our Call to Action outlines specific steps countries can take to address this issue, such as increasing the visibility and representation of female scientists in media and popular culture; investing in specialised teacher training can give educators the tools to break down gender stereotypes; and collecting more gender and sex-based data to help policymakers lead evidence-based strategies to close the gender gap.
Initiatives supporting women scientists
For over 20 years, the L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Programme has been recognising the outstanding contributions of women scientists and supported over 4,300 young researchers in over 100 countries. The recently launched Open and Inclusive Science Hub gathers high-impact initiatives and best practices from across the globe to give them greater visibility and build a community that can replicate these local successes across other regions.
The Women in Science Displacement Outreach Master’s Programme supports women in developing countries by providing scholarships to displaced women in STEM fields who have been overlooked or underserved in their educational journeys. Additionally, we are launching a media coaching programme for women scientists to improve their visibility in the media and inspire young girls to follow in their footsteps.
The organisation is also measuring inequalities in the sciences. Through publications on topics including gender equality in oceanic sciences, we provide reliable, data-driven insights into the specific challenges women face in STEM fields, helping to guide public action and policy decisions.
