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Why we need more Women in STEM to solve the COVID-19 crisis

If ever there was a time that professionals working in STEM mattered, it is NOW.

Around the world and around the clock, scientists, virologists, health and data technologists and probability mathematicians are working collaboratively - either remotely or at the epicentre of outbreaks - to try and contain, research and find a vaccine to combat COVID-19. 🌏💉

But the facts remain that female students and employees are still chronically under-represented in STEM-related fields:
▶️On average, 30% of the world’s researchers are women.
▶️Less than a third of female students study higher education courses in subjects such as maths and engineering.
▶️Women working in STEM fields publish less and often receive less pay.

Science and gender equality are vital to the world reaching sustainable development goals, and in recent years much has been done to help inspire women and girls to study and work in technical fields.
But women continue to be excluded from participating fully, according to the United Nations, who this week have been calling for more women to pursue careers in science:

“Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear lab coats. We need more women in science to beat pandemics and solve the most challenging problems we face today.”

#STEM #careers #girledworld #futureofwork