IWD2021 Q&A: Shifting perceptions of women in STEM

To mark International Women’s Day (IWD2021) Elizabeth Swan, patent attorney in the Life Science and Chemistry group at Withers & Rogers, shares her insight into the future of women in STEM.  

Women have so much to offer in all aspects of life, including STEM. As half of the world’s population is female, it is vital that women take an active role in innovation and design. In the past this hasn’t been the case, leading to many things being designed by men, predominantly with men in mind, and therefore not working optimally for women. This even includes medicines and vital safety equipment such as seat belts. Involving women in STEM careers will help to close these gaps and promote gender equality.

Reaching girls at an early age is vital. The stereotypes that boys become engineers and professors, and girls become teachers and carers, are still present. Of course, there isn’t one career choice that’s superior to the other, but girls and boys shouldn’t feel that certain career paths aren’t open to them, simply because of their gender.

INWED20: The power of engagement

Exposing girls to female STEM role models is a great way to show them that they too could follow a career in science or engineering. Recent events have proved that science can make a huge impact on the world, and that women are already playing a major role. The COVID crisis, particularly, has made the role of science in society more visible than ever before.