Gender balance in STEM an issue of concern
DISRUPTIVE technologies are challenging entrenched notions of work, reinventing jobs and creating opportunities and demands for new skills. Will this change create a gender-balanced workplace or could more formidable barriers emerge? The call-to-action for this year's International Women's Day (IWD 2019) is to push for a gender-balanced workplace, hence its theme #BalanceForBetter.
To begin with, a digital gender gap already exists. The speed of digital disruption, coupled with unequal access to digital technologies, has led to more women being digitally excluded from work and economic opportunities.
With technology being the major force shaping the future economy, skills and jobs related to STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) are increasingly valuable and in high demand. In this light, the gender imbalance in STEM talents today across the world is concerning. The 2015 UNESCO report, "A Complex Formula: Girls and Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Asia", notes that even in developed countries like S…
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
Overcrowded Venice introduces first payment charge for tourists
South Korea readies new system to detect illegal short-selling
US births retreat after pandemic-era growth
Markets are embracing India’s Modi for what he won’t do
Blinken to meet businesses in Shanghai as he kicks off a tough China trip
Indonesia’s central bank surprises with ‘pre-emptive’ rate hike to cushion falling rupiah