#IDWGS Essay: WE NEED THE FEMALE GENDER IN STEM COURSES by Faith Mwikali

WE NEED THE FEMALE GENDER IN STEM COURSES 

On December 22, 2015, the United Nations declared February 11 as the annual International day for commemorating women and girls in science. This day aims to recognise women and girls in science and also encourages others to pursue science-related subjects and careers. The main reason why the UN General Assembly was appointed on this day was to break gender stereotypes and tackle gender inequalities in access to scientific studies and careers.

Gender biases, stereotypes and societal expectations regularly discourage the female gender from entering fields related to STEM

(science,Technology,Engineering, and mathematics) or hinder their progress once they do. There is lack of representation and diversity in scientific institutions, thus limiting the perspectives and potential breakthroughs that could be attained. Even

though the female gender provides remarkable achievements, they will still go through significant challenges in pursuing careers in science. Ada Lovelace is one of the greatest women commemorated for bringing great inventions to the world. She was an English mathematician and an associate of Charles Bagger. She took the prototype of a digital computer made by Charles and programmed it. This made people call her the first computer programmer.

This is a new era for women. Girls today are raised with the belief that they can achieve anything. Despite this, only 29% of STEM jobs are held by women, despite the fact that girls have just as much potential and interest in STEM as boys. The reason for this is straightforward: unconscious gender bias. People are not even aware that they are doing it. Helen Chiang, the studio head of the Minecraft game series, stated that, in her school days, "it was not popular for girls to be smart or interested in challenging subjects within STEM." Social and cultural barriers frequently prevent girls from pursuing STEM fields. Popularity is one of the main causes.

When it comes to STEM, I believe that boys and girls are equally interested in it when they are younger because children want to build and create. However, as time goes on, this interest becomes less and less equal, with girls being discouraged from pursuing STEM fields by parents, teachers, and other adults and being told not to pursue STEM careers. Throughout history, scientists have made significant discoveries in understanding the human body and its relationship with the environment. However, a major oversight in scientific investigation and methodology has resulted in numerous injuries and deaths, as well as limited exploration in the fields of physiology and medicine until recently. This omission refers to the exclusion of women from both being involved in scientific research and being subjects of study. In the past, laboratory studies primarily focused on male lab rats to achieve standardized results, disregarding the hormonal life cycles of female rats. While this approach may have provided more predictable outcomes, it fails to account for the applicability of lab results and field work to female human beings.

The question arises: How can we overcome these barriers? How can we bring about a change in the system? Although the answer may seem simple, its execution is undoubtedly challenging. It is imperative that we confront the bias head-on. We must make concerted efforts to transform the system in a way that acknowledges and addresses this bias. Moreover, it is crucial to provide young girls who are interested in STEM fields with a secure and supportive environment where they can freely explore their curiosity, whether it be at school or within the confines of their homes. Additionally, we must ensure that they have access to role models who can inspire and guide them, so they are aware that their aspirations are not only possible but also achievable.

The significance of this issue is particularly evident in the present context, as we witness the return of NASA astronaut Christina Koch to Earth. Koch, who expressed her desire to inspire the next generation of female space explorers, grew up with a limited number of female heroes to look up to. It is disheartening to note that Koch and her colleague, Anne McClaine, were unable to carry out a scheduled spacewalk together due to the unavailability of space suits designed for two women. This serves as a stark reminder that the realm of space exploration still predominantly caters to men, leaving women underrepresented and marginalized.

In my opinion, I hold the belief that women and girls possess equal capabilities as men do. Moreover, I strongly emphasize the significance of empowering young girls, as it plays a crucial role in shaping a sustainable future for our planet.

REFERENCE LIST

1. Young Girls in STEM, an essay by Sofia Andersson. (2020, February 7). International Science Council.

https://council.science/current/news/young-girls-in-stem-an-essay-by-sof ia-andersson/

2. International Day of Women and Girls in Science | UNESCO. (n.d.). Www.unesco.org. https://www.unesco.org/en/days/women-girls-science 3. SIHQ. (2022, February 14). International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Soroptimist International.

https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/international-day-of-women-an d-girls-in-science/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Faith Mwikali is a high school student in one of the IB schools in Kenya. ‌She has been interested in studying what causes gender inequalities and some of the stereotypes some cultures possess. Her main achievement was breaking the belief in her culture that girls should not study any course related to mathematics or any technological course. She is studying business management at a technological school. It has been her dream to work or take part in activities whereby people can prove that both genders are capable of anything. It is a pleasure to take part in this writing.