International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2025

Anna Nova Galeon

11-02-2025

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2025

Image by NewJadsadas via Envato Elements

Women in STEM – Breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and creating a more inclusive future

Imagine a world where every scientific breakthrough, engineering marvel, and technological innovation has equal contributions from both men and women. Yet, despite their talent and potential, women and girls remain significantly underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers. Gender biases, societal stereotypes, and a lack of representation continue to limit their opportunities, stalling progress and innovation.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed annually on February 11th. And with this year’s theme, "Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science", it is more important than ever. This global movement led by UNESCO and UN Women calls for greater gender equality in STEM.

In this article, we’ll explore the barriers women face in STEM, the importance of representation, and what individuals, businesses, and policymakers can do to empower women and girls in science.

Breaking barriers - Women in STEM

The world thrives on scientific discoveries, technological advancements, and innovations in medicine, engineering, and data science. Yet, despite their undeniable contributions, women and girls remain significantly underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers.

Persistent gender biases, societal barriers, and limited representation continue to hinder their access and career growth. This gap is not just a loss for women - it’s a missed opportunity for progress, diversity, and innovation in STEM fields.

Why we celebrate women in STEM

To address these challenges, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science highlights the need for gender equality in STEM. This initiative aims to create an inclusive scientific community where women’s voices are heard, respected, and valued.

The 2025 theme, "Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science," seeks to:

Challenge stereotypes that discourage girls from pursuing STEM careers.
Promote media representation of women in science.
Advocate for policy changes that ensure equal opportunities for women in STEM.

Why do we need more women in STEM?

Women have been at the forefront of groundbreaking scientific achievements—Marie Curie’s pioneering research on radioactivity, Rosalind Franklin’s DNA discoveries, and Katherine Johnson’s contributions to NASA’s space missions.

However, despite these successes, gender disparities persist in STEM fields today.

Key statistics (World Economic Forum & UNESCO, 2025)

Only 28% of the global STEM workforce consists of women.
In Artificial Intelligence (AI), women make up just 22% of professionals.
Women represent 34% of STEM professionals, yet only 16% of engineers.
Less than 12% of leadership roles in STEM are held by women.

Barriers preventing women from pursuing STEM careers

Women and girls face multiple challenges when entering and advancing in STEM fields. Some of these include:

Gender stereotypes in STEM

Many girls grow up hearing that science and engineering are for men, discouraging them from pursuing these subjects. Studies show that by age 6, girls are less likely to associate brilliance with their gender.

Lack of female role models

The absence of visible female scientists and engineers in schools, workplaces, and media contributes to the perception that women do not belong in STEM. When girls do not see women in these fields, they may struggle to envision themselves in such careers.

Unequal access to STEM education

In some regions, girls face barriers in accessing quality education, especially in mathematics, coding, and engineering. Without early exposure to STEM subjects, they may not develop confidence or interest in pursuing them later in life.

Workplace discrimination and pay gaps

Women in STEM careers often experience pay disparities, fewer promotion opportunities, and biases that make career progression challenging. Research shows that women in STEM earn an average of 20% less than their male counterparts.

Work-life balance challenges

Many women in STEM leave their careers mid-way due to workplace inflexibility, lack of parental support, and difficulty balancing career and family responsibilities. Addressing these challenges is crucial to retaining women in STEM professions.

Unpacking STEM careers - Why representation matters?

The 2025 theme, "Her Voice in Science," emphasises the need for better representation of women in media, education, and leadership. When young girls see successful female scientists, engineers, and mathematicians in films, textbooks, and news stories, it inspires them to pursue STEM careers confidently.

What can be done?

To bridge the gender gap in STEM, individuals, educators, and employers can take action:

Promote STEM education among girls through targeted outreach programs.
Encourage female mentors and role models to guide young women in STEM careers.
Advocate for inclusive policies that support women in STEM workplaces.
Challenge gender stereotypes in media and education.
Invest in scholarships, mentorship, and training for women in STEM.

The role of organisations in empowering women in STEM

At The Mandatory Training Group, we are committed to building a future where women have equal opportunities to thrive in STEM fields. Women make up approximately 63% of our team, reinforcing our dedication to gender equality, leadership opportunities, and diverse representation in the workplace.

Our STEM-focused online training courses provide essential skills, compliance knowledge, and leadership development, equipping women to excel in science, technology, and engineering careers.
ComplyPlus™ offers regulatory compliance solutions to help businesses implement diversity and inclusion policies that support gender equality in STEM.

By leading by example, we strive to empower more women to break barriers, challenge industry norms, and take on leadership roles in STEM-related fields.

How employers can support women in STEM?

Employers play a crucial role in fostering an inclusive STEM workforce. Supporting women in STEM isn’t just about fairness - it’s about unlocking untapped potential and driving progress in science and technology.

Provide STEM training and mentorship for female employees.
Encourage flexible work policies to retain women in STEM roles.
Close the gender pay gap and ensure fair career progression.
Sponsor scholarships and training programs for women in science.

Conclusion

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2025 is a call to action - to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and amplify women’s voices in STEM. Every girl who dreams of becoming a scientist, engineer, or mathematician should have the opportunity and support to achieve her goals.

The Mandatory Training Group is committed to fostering gender equality in STEM. Through our online training courses and ComplyPlus™ compliance solutions, we empower women to excel in science and technology careers.

About the author

Anna Nova Galeon

Anna, our wordsmith extraordinaire, plays a pivotal role in quality assurance. She collaborates seamlessly with subject matter experts and marketers to meet stringent quality standards. Her linguistic precision and meticulous attention to detail elevate our content, ensuring prominence, clarity, and alignment with global quality benchmarks.