Women In Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Innovation Task Force’s Report
by Tess Matteo
In an ever-changing, complex world, solving problems, making sense of information and knowing how to gather and evaluate evidence to make decisions are all skills developed in science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) disciplines, and are in great demand, especially to achieve the SDGs.
Over the past decade STEM jobs grew 3x greater than non-STEM jobs. Also, workers in STEM command 26% higher wages than non-STEM workers.
Economic inequality is inherently ‘sexist’ resulting in underutilized capacity for innovation. Women are under- represented throughout the innovation pipeline. This limits their economic opportunities and also stifles any pioneering ideas they might contribute. Although 57 percent of all four-year degrees are earned by women, only 35 percent of STEM bachelors degrees go to women. Women make up just 22 percent of the STEM work- force and hold only 16 percent of granted patents. The Task Force explored how to create more STEM opportu- nities for women and girls.