In 2024, the need for a diverse STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) workforce has never been more urgent. Despite women constituting over half of the global workforce, they represent a mere 28% of the STEM sector, according to the World Economic Forum. This gender disparity is even starker in fields like engineering and technology, where women's participation remains below 15%. The lack of representation stifles innovation and limits economic growth and technological advancement.
However, there is a growing movement to close this gap and unlock the full potential of all minds. Universities, laboratories, nonprofits, and companies are stepping up, creating initiatives and programs aimed at reducing biases, providing mentorship, and opening up opportunities for girls and women in STEM. These efforts focus on dismantling the barriers that have historically excluded women from these fields and ensuring they have equal footing in the industries that will shape the future.
In this article, we spotlight some of the pioneering organizations that are making significant strides in bringing more women into STEM careers. From grassroots initiatives to global advocacy, these groups are changing the landscape, helping to build a more inclusive future where gender equality in STEM is not just a goal but a reality.
Despite significant advancements over the past few decades, the gender gap in STEM fields remains a persistent issue. Women still represent only 28% of the STEM workforce globally, and their participation is even lower in fields such as engineering and computer science, where they constitute less than 15% of professionals. This disparity is deeply rooted in cultural norms, systemic biases, and a lack of support and mentorship for women entering these fields.
Gender bias in STEM begins early in education. Research by the National Science Foundation shows that girls perform equally well as boys in math and science throughout their schooling, yet they are less likely to pursue these subjects in higher education. This drop-off is partly due to stereotypes suggesting that STEM fields are more suitable for men, and a lack of female role models in these areas.
To combat these stereotypes, organizations like Girls Who Code and the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) have developed targeted initiatives to engage young girls in STEM from a young age. For example, Girls Who Code has created after-school clubs and summer immersion programs that provide hands-on coding experience, mentorship, and exposure to female role models in technology. Similarly, NGCP has launched programs that connect young girls with female professionals in STEM, allowing them to see firsthand that these careers are accessible and rewarding.
Educators are also being trained to address bias in classrooms. When teachers use gender-neutral language and include diverse examples in their teaching materials, studies show that girls' interest and engagement in STEM subjects increase significantly.
Mentorship plays a crucial role in encouraging women to pursue and remain in STEM careers. According to the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), women with mentors are more likely to stay in STEM fields than those without. Programs like Million Women Mentors (MWM) have been instrumental in providing this support. MWM aims to mentor one million girls and women in STEM by 2025, working with over 58 partners who collectively represent more than 30 million women and girls in the U.S. The initiative allows mentors to engage with mentees for at least 20 hours per year and facilitates connections through its extensive network.
Organizations such as IBM and Microsoft have also implemented internal mentorship programs and initiatives, such as the Women in Technology (WIT) program and DigiGirlz events, to foster inclusive workplace cultures and support women’s career advancement.
Achieving gender parity in STEM also requires systemic change, including policy reforms and workplace practices that foster inclusivity. AnitaB.org’s Top Companies for Women Technologists Program evaluates companies' efforts in diversity, including equitable parental leave policies, unconscious bias training, and pay equity.
Companies like Accenture and Google have been recognized for their diversity policies that include flexible work arrangements, employee resource groups, and career development tailored to women. These practices have resulted in higher job satisfaction and retention rates among female STEM professionals.
Governments are also taking steps to promote gender equity in STEM. The UK’s Athena SWAN Charter rewards institutions for their commitment to improving gender representation and embedding equality in their culture (Advance HE).
Increasing the visibility of women in STEM is crucial. Events like the Grace Hopper Celebration, organized by AnitaB.org, celebrate the achievements of women technologists and provide networking opportunities to build strong professional communities. Companies like TechTarget regularly highlight female employees' achievements to promote a culture of inclusion and innovation.
These efforts align with research by the American Association of University Women (AAUW), which found that visibility significantly influences young girls’ interest in STEM careers by challenging stereotypes and providing real-life role models.
Organizations like STEMconnector are connecting various stakeholders, from educators to policymakers, to build a stronger pipeline for women in STEM. Programs such as Million Women Mentors and STEM Talent Pathways aim to recruit, retain, and promote women in STEM fields by providing resources, networking, and career development opportunities.
The Institute for Women in Trades, Technology, and Science (IWITTS), founded in California in 1994, is a non-profit organization that has become a national leader in gender equality in education. Recognized by the National Science Foundation (NSF) for its effective programs, IWITTS provides girls and young women with opportunities to explore STEM-related careers.
IWITTS tackles the gender gap by training educators to actively include their female students in discussions about career possibilities in STEM. By finding innovative ways to excite teenage girls about science, technology, and mathematics, the institute aims to open their minds to the diverse options available to them. IWITTS offers videos, training seminars, and technical assistance for technology and science educators. These resources help create inclusive classrooms where girls feel empowered to pursue their interests.
In recent years, IWITTS has expanded its efforts by collaborating with international organizations, enhancing its resources for digital platforms, and addressing cultural biases that discourage girls from STEM pursuits. These initiatives are critical for building a more equitable future in which young women can thrive in these high-demand fields.
For over 60 years, the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) has provided a community for women engineers committed to breaking stereotypes in this traditionally male-dominated field. Women make up only 12% of the engineering workforce, but SWE is dedicated to raising this percentage by inspiring women to reach their potential in engineering careers and leading the way for future generations.
SWE partners with global organizations and companies to provide opportunities for women in engineering and promote their mission. They are leaders in government advocacy, working with local and national legislators to strengthen the inclusion of girls in school STEM programs, promote STEM courses and jobs for college-level women, and create equal opportunities for women in the workforce. As stated on their website, “The long-term goal is to be the STEM gender equity power broker at the federal level.”
In addition to its advocacy work, SWE offers numerous scholarships for college-aged women pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering. They have also expanded their programs to include online communities, webinars, and leadership training, ensuring that women engineers have access to resources and networks that support their career growth. SWE’s recent efforts have focused on increasing diversity within the organization itself, providing a more inclusive space for women of color, LGBTQ+ members, and those with disabilities.
Founded in 2002, the National Girls Collaborative Project (NGCP) strives to bring together organizations across the country that share the vision of educating and motivating girls to pursue careers in STEM. Currently, 39 states are served by collaborations between over 18,800 organizations, providing services to more than 11 million girls and 7.5 million boys in the United States. The overwhelming theme of NGCP is opportunity.
NGCP works on a state and federal level to provide a network of professionals, researchers, and practitioners who all share the common goal of increasing the knowledge base of girls and young women about STEM fields. Partially funded by a grant from the NSF, the program trains mentors to work with educators, organizations, and school counselors to increase the number of female STEM practitioners in the workforce. Forums, interactive webinars, and mini-grants offer a comprehensive and structured program design. The organization has partnered with 16 companies, including L’Oreal, Thomson Reuters, Time Warner, SciGirls, and the Manufacturing Institute, which share its vision for building the capacity of programs that serve girls in STEM.
NGCP recently expanded its reach by partnering with international organizations and adapting its resources for virtual platforms. This ensures that girls from all socio-economic backgrounds can access quality STEM education and mentorship, regardless of geographical or financial constraints.
Million Women Mentors (MWM) is an organization focused on breaking down the barriers facing girls and women interested in STEM. The program pairs mentors with mentees from national, mostly non-profit organizations with a specific interest in STEM. By collaborating with sponsors and consulting with MWM to create custom mentoring plans, mentors can support girls and women in STEM through a variety of leadership opportunities.
MWM has partnered with over 60 companies and 45 corporate sponsors to provide STEM professionals with the tools they need to mentor girls nationwide. Over 30 million girls have benefited from these mentoring relationships, helping to build their confidence and increase their persistence in STEM programs and careers. The long-term goal of MWM is to recruit one million female and male mentors to support girls and women in STEM, reinforcing their belief that anyone can be a mentor and that every girl deserves the chance to succeed in STEM.
Recently, MWM has expanded its program to include virtual mentorship opportunities, recognizing the need to reach girls in rural and underserved communities. The organization is also exploring partnerships with global companies to create cross-border mentorship opportunities, helping to broaden the horizons of mentees and mentors alike.
Girls Who Code is a nonprofit organization founded by Reshma Saujani in 2012 to close the gender gap in technology. The organization’s clubs and summer immersion programs have reached over 300,000 girls worldwide, providing them with coding skills, mentorship, and a sense of community.
Key initiatives include:
In recent years, Girls Who Code has also launched initiatives to address retention issues in the tech workforce. This includes creating alumnae networks and partnering with companies to ensure inclusive hiring practices.
STEM for Her is another nonprofit organization focused on promoting science, technology, engineering, and math education to girls and young women. It connects young women with female role models in STEM fields through programs and events.
Their core initiatives include:
STEM for Her has expanded its focus to include not only exposure and education but also long-term support, aiming to bridge the gap between education and career opportunities. The organization is working on establishing partnerships with more tech companies to offer internship programs for young women.
Many companies are taking steps to support women in STEM roles through comprehensive diversity and inclusion strategies. TechTarget, for example, promotes women in STEM by maintaining a culture that values and supports diversity. This includes unconscious bias training, mentorship programs, and partnerships with organizations like the Society of Women Engineers (SWE).
Other companies that have received recognition for their efforts include:
These companies are critical in creating inclusive environments that not only attract but also retain talented women in STEM fields.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has been at the forefront of global advocacy for gender parity in STEM fields. Their reports and research provide valuable data and insights on the current state of women in STEM and the systemic barriers they face.
WEF’s advocacy efforts include:
WEF has also championed initiatives to promote STEM education among girls in developing countries, recognizing that early exposure to STEM is key to fostering long-term interest and success.
The Women in Engineering ProActive Network (WEPAN) is dedicated to advancing cultures of inclusion and diversity within engineering fields. WEPAN works with over 600 institutions, advocating for systemic changes in educational policies and workplace practices that impact women in engineering.
Their initiatives include:
WEPAN recently expanded its outreach to include community colleges and non-traditional educational pathways, acknowledging that diversity in engineering is not only about gender but also socio-economic and geographic factors.
STEMconnector is a consortium that connects over 200 organizations working to improve STEM education and workforce development. It brings together educators, corporations, nonprofits, and policymakers to share resources, data, and best practices.
Recent initiatives by STEMconnector include:
These efforts highlight the importance of collaboration across sectors to create sustainable change.
There is no denying the fact that jobs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are the future of the US economy. Providing girls and young women with the resources to pursue these fields significantly enhances the United States' ability to be at the forefront of innovation and invention. Organizations like IWITTS, SWE, NGCP, MWM, and others are critical in ensuring that future generations of women are well-represented in the STEM workforce, contributing their diverse perspectives and talents to solving the world's most pressing problems.
We can work towards a more inclusive and equitable future for all by supporting and expanding these initiatives.
