Did you know thats Europe’s GDP could improve if it closed the Gender Gap in STEM Education. Infact, it is estimated that by achieving gender equality in STEM education could add up to 1.2 million jobs and 610-820 billion euro to Europe’s GDP by 2050. While we are seeing improvements like in 2019, women made up more than a third (40.9%) of scientists and engineers in the EU-28, an increase from 32.4% in 2009. We still have a lot of work to do for example in that same year women were just 32.5% of those employed in high-tech manufacturing and knowledge-intensive high-tech services leaving this sector still very male dominated.
Why is it so important to women in tech?
Well, for one, it is good for business. Data has proven that diverse teams result in more innovation and increase revenue. A study by BCG found that companies that reported above-average diversity on their management teams also reported innovation revenue that was 19 percentage points higher than that of companies with below-average leadership diversity—45% of total revenue versus just 26%.
But even more profound is that we need women working in technology for representation. The more women contributing to the creation of future technologies, the more integrated everyone’s needs will be. The World Economic Forum talks about some of the reasons women and girls have lower rates in STEM fields: lack of encouragement, active discouragement, lack of role models, negative peer pressure and harassment. Studies show that it is not an ability issue. The article continues saying: Women from under-represented groups face prejudice twice over, both against their gender and their race. In some countries in the developing world, girls still struggle for basic access to education and then for acceptance into the workplace.
So the more diverse STEM fields become the it will be for everyone but even during this moment of transition when women face obstacles there are many reasons why it is a great choice for a career like this infographic points out women only represent 30% of IT employees. Meaning the demand is high for IT workers is high, and the reward is even higher. Many companies are facing a tech employee shortage, yet women are often overlooked for many positions but women who enter IT jobs earn 33% more than women in traditional roles. Hmmm something interesting to think about!
At Talent Garden, we have always believed in equal opportunity. Because there are no jobs, no disciplines, that can be done or learned better by men than by women. Among all those enrolled in STEM faculties, female students represent only 37% and although the trend is growing compared to the past, it is still not enough. It is in this context that the Women in Tech Grant initiative was born: a €1000 grant on tuition fees, for women and girls who want to become digital professionals and participate in our STEM masters and courses offered by the Talent Garden Innovation School.
