The power of visibility and leadership, Insights from the STEM Women Congress in Madrid
The STEM WOMEN CONGRESS in Madrid was a significant event that highlighted the pressing need to address gender equality and diversity in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) sectors. As part of our ongoing commitment to drive meaningful change and to present crucial insights and strategies for creating a more inclusive and innovative future.
Eva Díaz, CEO and founder of STEM WOMEN CONGRESS opened the dialogue by reflecting on the challenges of today’s uncertain times, where gender equality and diversity policies continue to be under scrutiny. She shared a poignant message that if your voice weren’t impactful, efforts to silence it wouldn’t persist. This was a clear call to action for all women in STEM to continue pushing boundaries and making their voices heard.
Patricia Reyes, General Director for Women, Comunidad de Madrid, emphasised the importance of visibility for women in STEM, highlighting that women’s contributions in these fields are pivotal in inspiring future generations and tackling the gender pay gap. She noted the significant lack of women in STEM careers, which contributes directly to the wage disparity. Visibility is the first step in changing this narrative.
Breaking down barriers and prejudices
Abelardo de la Rosa, Secretary of State for Education, Ministerio de Educación, Formación Profesional y Deportes discussed the deep-seated nature of prejudice in society, which can be difficult to dismantle. He highlighted that the power of ideas and knowledge is what drives progress. Access to knowledge is synonymous with access to power, and in this regard, women must be granted equal opportunities to access, share, and create knowledge.
Susanna Cabos, Global President of SWC Annual Report & Customer Satisfaction & Quality Director at Schneider Electric, shared insights from their annual report, which serves as a strategic guide for understanding and guiding actions towards the advancement of women in STEM. The report outlined some critical statistics, including an increase in women’s enrolment in STEM programmes, with a 3.4% rise over recent years. However, the report also revealed a concerning 8% decline in women’s representation in the professional STEM sector.
The importance of early intervention and role models
One of the most striking statistics discussed was that stereotypes about gender roles in STEM begin to take root between the ages of 5 and 6. This early intervention is crucial to changing the narrative. By promoting role models and fostering an environment where young girls can see themselves in STEM careers, we can break down these barriers.
It’s not just about encouraging more girls to pursue STEM – it’s about creating a sustainable path for them to succeed in the field. The professional landscape still sees a sharp decline in women’s representation as they move up the career ladder. The panel discussions also shed light on the necessity for more inspiring career initiatives that could drive systemic change across the industry.
Leadership and collaboration in extreme environments
One of the most thought-provoking discussions revolved around the concept of leadership in STEM. Leadership, it was argued, is not just about climbing the corporate ladder but about holding contradictions, collaborating, and navigating the most extreme environments. The example of Antarctic exploration was used as a metaphor, where women have proven to be exceptional leaders, solving complex problems and redesigning questions in the most challenging conditions.
The event culminated in a panel dedicated to finding solutions for the underrepresentation of women in STEM. The discussion was rich with ideas on how to approach the issue, focusing on the importance of using new methods to address old problems. Acknowledging the barriers, participants emphasised the need for innovative solutions that would support the growth and leadership of women in STEM careers.
As we move forward, BluSpecs remains committed to creating a more inclusive and innovative environment for women in STEM. The discussions and insights from the STEM Women Congress will guide our actions as we continue to advocate for policies and initiatives that empower women and close the gender gap in these vital fields.