Why are girls less likely to opt for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM)?
Key opinions from our Member Organisations:
- Absence of mentors and role models.
- Lack of opportunities and resources aimed at girls and young women.
- Cultural practices and gender bias lead to girls and young women:
- lacking confidence to take on ‘harder’ subjects and careers that they feel are natural paths for boys not girls.
- lacking confidence to enter male-dominated learning and work spaces.
- not being encouraged by adults (schools, families, youth leaders) to enter into Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM).
- experiencing peer pressure and even sexual violence if they do take on Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
being deprioritised over male siblings when resources are tight, therefore missing opportunities to study Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) subjects which can be more expensive.
