What is it about?

Gender differences have existed for many decades. Therefore, women demanded equal rights, achieving education changes, and the publication of their works through revolutionary and social movements. However, there is still evidence of gaps, reflected in the underrepresentation of women in the workplace, institutions, and education, showing that gender inequality persists. The article "Ten simple rules for empowering women in STEM" suggests a guide for empowering women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The ten rules outline how individuals and organizations can contribute to closing the gender gap in STEM. Some of these rules include creating an inclusive culture, promoting female role models, encouraging early education, and mentoring, and advocating for gender equality policies. In addition, the article highlights the importance of how society could change and prevent gender gaps, empowering women in STEM.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

The article "Ten simple rules for empowering women in STEM" is relevant because the gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is a global problem that has persisted for decades. Women are underrepresented in these fields; consequently, their valuable contribution to scientific and technological advancement is lost. In addition, women face unique barriers to accessing careers in STEM, such as a lack of female representation in leadership positions and gender discrimination. Girls and adolescents may even go through stages of indecision due to stereotypes of some careers. By actively addressing the gender gap in STEM, changes can occur in employment, development, education, innovation, and solving global challenges. The article guides how individuals and organizations can help close this gap and promote gender equality in STEM.

Perspectives

The article "Ten simple rules for empowering women in STEM" presents positive perspectives for the future of gender equity in STEM. The paper addresses the gender gap in STEM and offers guidance on how to reduce gender inequity. By following these ten simple rules, women can feel more empowered and supported in their STEM careers, allowing them to advance in their fields and improve diversity and inclusion. In addition, this article can serve as a basis for governments, institutions, and academia to generate policies that contribute to women's participation in science. Such an approach could open a wide range of possibilities for women who could decide their professional future freely, without fear of failure, and without considering unconscious biases. Furthermore, it is essential to promote an inclusive culture so that the representation of women in the educational and labor fields is equitable. Science and technology should no longer be deprived of women's potential.

Ana Karina Zambrano
Universidad UTE

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Ten simple rules for empowering women in STEM, PLoS Computational Biology, December 2022, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1010731.
You can read the full text:

Read
Open access logo

Contributors

The following have contributed to this page