Gender Scan 2024: working towards greater gender equality in STEM fields

03/12/2024
Since 2021, CDEFI has been a partner in the international Gender Scan survey aimed at achieving greater gender equality in science and technology careers. 
Conducted by Global contact since 2008, this benchmark study on gender diversity in tech, research and innovation is based on data from the Gender Scan online survey, which targets learners in higher education as well as working professionals.
 
In 2023, this online survey was completed by more than 1,436 learners in French engineering schools (and 1,561 in 2021). This is a major mobilisation.
Gender disparities persist in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), with only 33% of learners in all courses offered by French engineering schools (29% in courses leading to the engineering diploma) and 24% of women engineers among all practising engineers. This is why it is essential to identify structural inequalities and social norms.
 
The 2024 edition of the survey, which also involves UNESCO in particular, is now open: learners and graduates have until the end of January to contribute.
 
In addition, a report based on Gender Scan 2021 data was presented to the Women's Empowerment Working Group during the Brazilian Presidency of the G20. It takes stock of the presence of women in STEM and highlights some worrying information:
 
  • at global level, the proportion of women studying and graduating in STEM fields has not changed over the last ten years: overall, women represent 35% of all STEM graduates in G20 countries; 
  • the proportion of women teaching in higher education exceeds 35%, but women teachers are under-represented in STEM teaching positions and in leadership roles, particularly in higher education. In addition to improving the STEM education experience, the representation of women among faculty must be improved; the representation of women among faculty can transform the representation among graduates: according to data from the American Society of Women Engineers, a 1% increase in the number of women faculty could result in an increase of nearly 0.5% in the number of degrees awarded to women engineers;
  • in the G20 countries, there are half as many women in STEM occupations as in the workforce as a whole, with no significant improvement in the balance over recent decades. Women represented 42% of the workforce in 2021, but held only 22% of STEM occupations, almost the same percentage as in 2005; 
  • the average salary for women working in STEM is no more than 88% of that earned by men;
  • women also represent a minority of researchers worldwide: around one in three researchers is a woman, whether she works in government, higher education, the private sector, non-profit organisations or other unspecified sectors. Numerical parity between men and women researchers is between 45% and 55%, and has only been achieved in three G20 countries: Argentina, Brazil and South Africa.
Combating gender stereotypes, supporting and promoting women's careers in STEM, improving the visibility of women in STEM, developing support and mentoring initiatives, professional networks for women, etc. are key actions to achieve greater gender diversity. This is a major focus for CDEFI, which is reflected in various initiatives (Ingénieuses, Cap Ingénieuses) and partnerships (Gender Scan, TechPourToutes).
 

News and publications

To search for a news, simply enter a keyword, choose a theme or select a date from the following fields: