‘Unboxing’ STEM careers for next-gen women and girls

IN male dominated fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), women today have carved out their rightful place and contributed significantly towards global development.

In a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (Unesco) study, data showed a widespread under-representation of women researchers.

This prompted the United Nations General Assembly to establish the International Day of Women and Girls in Science in 2015, an obvious effort to address this gap in the scientific field.

In effect, the valuable contributions of women in the field of science and technology are slowly paying off and being recognized over time.

In celebration of the 10th International Day of Women and Girls in Science, dive into the stories of how empowered Women in Science are by introducing the various STEM opportunities to potential next-generation scientists, through a career planning forum titled, “Unboxing STEM professions: A Day in the Life of Women in Science.”

In his message, Department of Science and Technology Renato Solidum Jr. shared that gender equality and women empowerment are deeply rooted in the pre-colonial past.

“At present, we are one of the 128 countries in the world to achieve gender parity in terms of education. According to the World Economic Forum, we are a regional leader among the East Asia and Pacific countries in the Global Gender Gap Index, next to New Zealand and Australia. While this is good news, we still have more work to do in engaging women and girls in STEM education and the workforce,” he said.

This sentiment was also shared by Ermelita Valdeavilla, chairperson of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW).

Valdeavilla said that the Philippines faces a huge challenge in gender equality in STEM despite being on top in gender parity, the country still has the widest STEM gender gap in Asia and the Pacific.

Citing data from the STEM Leadership Alliance, she said that only 36 percent of the STEM graduates in the Philippines are women, and out of this figure, only 46.2 percent are employed in STEM-related fields.

“Whether you like it or not, STEM is the engine that will steer the world to advancement and the labor market for STEM is huge here and everywhere. It is no longer the applicants that fight for a job, it is the companies that actively search and compete for skilled STEM professionals. There is a big room for everybody in STEM, so do not look at women and girls as your competitors. Because in STEM, competition makes you better, but collaboration makes you stronger. Never tell women and girls that they do not belong in STEM”, ValdeaVilla said in her message.

Among the careers in STEM presented were on Geology; Genomic Medicine; Environmental Science: Space Agency; Quantity Surveying; Agriculture Science; and Information and Communications Technology. These professions were some of the uncommon career paths taken in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Frei Sangil, data science and forensic analyst from Layertech Software Labs Inc., underscored the need for more talents in the field of ICT. Sangil stated that the country needs to catch up.

Citing data from the Women and ICT Development Index, she said that only 22 to 51 percent of Filipinas ages 15 years old and above have basic digital skills, and only 19 percent have intermediate skills.

The forum was participated in by students from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS)-Main campus, Ramon Magsaysay Cubao High School, Lagro High School, and Don Quintin Paredes High School.

Moreover, participants across the country participated via Zoom which include students from Siquijor State College, Candon National High School, San Jose National High School, PSHS-CAR campus, PSHS Central Mindanao campus, PSHS-Western Visayas campus, Don Honorio Ventura State University-Bacolod and Senator Renato Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School.

The hybrid career planning forum was initiated by DOST, in partnership with the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology, DOST-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, National Academy of Science and Technology, and the DOST- Science and Technology and Information Institute.