Women in STEM Careers: Global Policies, Practices,
and Challenges for Gender Equity
Izmir University of Economics
Gül Ertan Özgüzer
What is STEM?
- Originated in the US - Initiated by the National
Science Foundation in the 1990s
- Response to Tech Boom - Driven by the dot-com boom
and internet expansion.
- Global Adoption - Adopted worldwide (in Europe and
Asia) to enhance technological capabilities and competitiveness.
- Key Skills Introduced - Focus on analytical
thinking, problem-solving, and quantitative skills.
Global Expansion and Modern Significance of STEM
- Educational Expansion:
- No Child Left Behind Act and Obama’s goal to prepare 100,000 STEM
teachers in the US, Horizon 2020 in Europe, and South Korea’s STEM
master plan.
- Rising Demand for STEM Skills:
- Increased by AI and automation, emphasizing the need for STEM
skills.
- Predictions like Gartner’s estimate that 15% of daily work decisions
will be AI-driven by 2027.
- Scientific literacy and ICT proficiency are essential for the
21st-century workforce (World Economic Forum, 2016).
- Preparing for the Future:
- STEM education is strategically positioned to prepare workers for
emerging industries reliant on advanced technical expertise and
innovation.
Why STEM is the Future
- Projected Job Growth (2023–2033):
- STEM occupations projected to grow 10.4%, more than double the
growth of all occupations at 4.0% (BLS, 2023).
- Growth driven by advancements in IT, cybersecurity, automation, and
AI technologies (WEF, 2025).
- Rising Demand in Key Areas:
- Increasing demand for IT services, cybersecurity enhancements, and
R&D in automation and AI (WEF, 2025).
- Wage Comparisons:
- STEM wages, on average, are more than double those in non-STEM
fields, reflecting high demand for skilled professionals (BLS,
2023).
- Economic Implications:
- Financial rewards and industry impact signify the crucial role of
STEM fields in economic development (WEF, 2025).