[Dominican Republic] Making a change to get women into STEM

One of the persistent gender gaps can be observed in education with practices in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). It is estimated that equality indicators do not work well for disciplines and careers related to these areas, Dominican Today reports.

A big part of the problem is the traditional perception that maths and the sciences are disciplines practiced solely by men.

In the case of the Dominican Republic, a mere 39 per cent of positions in this area are held by women, according to figures provided by the National Statistics Office (ONE).

In addition to perception and current low participation levels, society, conflict or emergencies in the sector, the lack of educational and digital tools and family perspectives are all reportedly significant constraints for the female population to avoid STEM education.

Stereotypes related to gender skills are perspectives that further harm the outlook on equality when it comes to choosing a career focused on these practices.

Laura Segura was the Research and Strengthening manager in the STEM movement from the STEAM Miami 2022 Symposium at BIU University. She said, “Girls and women believe that these are complex areas and only for men, distancing them from their reality and limiting them to see how implementing technologies, engineering, science and mathematics, can change their lives and the development of a population entering the digital world.”

Surveys by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have shown that girls lack the self-confidence of boys in science and mathematics. While new analyses reportedly reveal significant differences in parental incentives that exacerbate the problem.

Encouraging girls is simply not enough. In order to enter the world of STEM, girls also need to feel appropriately positioned to know that they are valued within their roles.

“The gender gap in STEM jobs goes back to an unbalanced percentage, as it is crucial to encourage younger generations, especially women, to pursue their interest in the field of technologies to achieve equality and competitiveness in organizations,” Laura Segura said.

A 2021 survey by the International Statistical Institute (ISI) revealed that 8 of the top 10 highest-paying jobs are in STEM careers. However, women are not joining the sector due to a lack of knowledge, stereotypes and motivation.

STEM occupations garner a competitive income but women who obtain careers in these areas and enter the workforce face not only significant barriers to success but consistently earn less than men in these professions. The 2020 Pew Research Center found that men working in STEM earn 40 per cent higher salaries than women.

Source: Dominican Today

(Quotes via original reporting)

One of the persistent gender gaps can be observed in education with practices in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). It is estimated that equality indicators do not work well for disciplines and careers related to these areas, Dominican Today reports.

A big part of the problem is the traditional perception that maths and the sciences are disciplines practiced solely by men.

In the case of the Dominican Republic, a mere 39 per cent of positions in this area are held by women, according to figures provided by the National Statistics Office (ONE).

In addition to perception and current low participation levels, society, conflict or emergencies in the sector, the lack of educational and digital tools and family perspectives are all reportedly significant constraints for the female population to avoid STEM education.

Stereotypes related to gender skills are perspectives that further harm the outlook on equality when it comes to choosing a career focused on these practices.

Laura Segura was the Research and Strengthening manager in the STEM movement from the STEAM Miami 2022 Symposium at BIU University. She said, “Girls and women believe that these are complex areas and only for men, distancing them from their reality and limiting them to see how implementing technologies, engineering, science and mathematics, can change their lives and the development of a population entering the digital world.”

Surveys by the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) have shown that girls lack the self-confidence of boys in science and mathematics. While new analyses reportedly reveal significant differences in parental incentives that exacerbate the problem.

Encouraging girls is simply not enough. In order to enter the world of STEM, girls also need to feel appropriately positioned to know that they are valued within their roles.

“The gender gap in STEM jobs goes back to an unbalanced percentage, as it is crucial to encourage younger generations, especially women, to pursue their interest in the field of technologies to achieve equality and competitiveness in organizations,” Laura Segura said.

A 2021 survey by the International Statistical Institute (ISI) revealed that 8 of the top 10 highest-paying jobs are in STEM careers. However, women are not joining the sector due to a lack of knowledge, stereotypes and motivation.

STEM occupations garner a competitive income but women who obtain careers in these areas and enter the workforce face not only significant barriers to success but consistently earn less than men in these professions. The 2020 Pew Research Center found that men working in STEM earn 40 per cent higher salaries than women.

Source: Dominican Today

(Quotes via original reporting)