Women and girls in STEM forum, a step towards the advancement of gender equality in STEM
Imagine a place where gender equality in STEM education and professional careers is openly discussed and collaboratively developed for girls and women. This kind of space would be an ideal forum to speak for STEM inclusive education and intellectual activism.
And that’s exactly what the "Women and Girls in STEM Forum" is about!
A dedicated space for gender equality in STEM
The Women and Girls in STEM Forum (#WGSF) is brought to Europe by the three organizations altogether: Girls Go Circular, the European Commission (DG EAC), and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT). The forum is held annually.
The upcoming 2024 forum will be held in Budapest, Hungary, with the livestream available.
This official event has been around for almost four years, with the accumulated participants of more than 2,800.
Key stakeholders include students, teachers, private sectors from various industries, policymakers, researchers, and mentors. The mission is to advance gender equality in STEM education and professional careers in Europe.
Key takeaways of the event
The main goals of the yearly event are the following:
1. To finalize action plans that narrow the gender gap in the STEM field
2. To remove STEM gender stereotypes while promoting inclusive education
3. To empower girls with STEM
Female students with the Girls Go Circular affiliation are encouraged to join the 'Student Challenge' contest first. They might win a trip to attend the #WGSF in person, along with their teachers.
According to the EIT article published in 2022, 34% of the STEM graduates were women.
In Europe, women represented only 17% of the overall ICT graduates and employment. Since there has been the European Green Deal 2050 goal set for European climate neutrality, the region requires more female STEM workforce today.
The Girls Go Circular organization is a key contributor for the STEM women equality through the #WGSF (D’Souza, 2022).
Highlights from the previous events
Highlights from the 2023 #WGSF
1,375 participants in total
Brussels, Belgium as the physical venue
A 'green robot prototype' team project as the main theme for the Student Challenge
Sustainable future, carbon-neutrality, circular economy, STEM disciplines, gender gap, inclusive education, and gender equality as keywords
Highlights from the 2022 #WGSF
800+ participants in total
Brussels, Belgium as the hybrid venue
'Empowering girls in science and technology' as the main theme for the 2022 #WGSF
Gender equality, Europe's climate-neutrality, gender stereotypes, STEM, gender gap, and inclusive education as keywords
Highlights from the 2021 #WGSF
400+ participants in total
the 2021 #WGSF as the first forum with initiatives in STEM and ICT
Gender equality, STEM, gender gap, women empowerment, and inclusive education as keywords
The 'WGSF Policy Brief' of each year is available for download, together with the forum video recordings. Visit Women and Girls in STEM Forum for more information.
From Ideas to Impact: The #WGSF's Formula for Action
The Women and Girls in STEM Forum (#WGSF) goes beyond simply being a space for discussion. Here stakeholders can not only identify challenges but also develop actionable solutions. Here are two key aspects that contribute to the forum's effectiveness:
Cross-sectoral Collaboration: The forum brings together a diverse range of participants, including students, educators, policymakers, researchers, and industry representatives.
This creates a unique opportunity for knowledge exchange and collaboration across different sectors. Imagine a student sharing their innovative green robot prototype with policymakers who can then advocate for funding and educational programs that support such ideas.
This cross-pollination of perspectives leads to the development of more comprehensive and effective strategies to bridge the gender gap in STEM.
Actionable Outcomes: The forum doesn't stop at raising awareness. Each year, the forum culminates in the creation of action plans designed to address specific challenges.
These plans are not merely theoretical documents; they are intended to be implemented by the various stakeholders involved. For instance, an action plan might involve developing new STEM curriculums that are more inclusive and engaging for girls, or creating mentorship programs that connect young women with established female professionals in STEM fields.
By focusing on concrete actions, the forum ensures that discussions translate into real-world progress.
The Forum serves as a powerful model for tackling gender disparity in STEM education and careers. Its success lies in its ability to foster collaboration and translate ideas into actionable steps towards a more inclusive future.
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