Jennifer Flanagan Inspiring the next generation of women as STEM Leaders

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Advancing Girls and Young Women in STEM: A Global Pursuit

Today, we have the opportunity to explore one of the most important topics in the global workforce - gender diversity in the STEM industry. Jennifer Flanagan, CEO of Actua, shares her insights.

Actua's mandate is to promote confidence and skills in science, technology, engineering, and math among the youth in Canada.

The Need for Diversity in STEM

Despite global advancement, the disparity between males and females in STEM continues to be an issue. Canada, proud of its multicultural diversity, is not exempt from this challenge.

The Disparity in Numbers

The STEM industry contributes significantly to Canada's economic prosperity. As a cornerstone of innovation, the contribution of the STEM industry has been underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, gender equity and broader diversity in this field have lagged behind. For instance, Canadian women are less likely to pursue high-paying STEM fields like engineering and computer science. It is a disturbing fact that 50% of women in tech roles leave their jobs by the age of 35. Similarly, colleges and universities record low enrollment rates of women in STEM courses.

The Difference Early Intervention Makes

Actua's initiative to engage girls early in STEM shows promising results:

  • Over 50% of boys have an extreme interest in careers involving coding, while only 27% of girls express a similar interest.
  • Almost twice as many boys than girls express confidence in these areas.
  • Boys have had twice as many opportunities to learn these skills outside of school as girls.

Clearly, there is a prominent gap that needs to be addressed urgently.

Biases Can Be Broken: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women STEM Leaders

Let’s delve into how we can inspire future female leaders in the STEM industry, noting that diversity boosts innovative solutions.

Cultivating Interest, Confidence, and Opportunities

Engaging girls early in STEM education builds critical skills and confidence. With supportive environments for exploration and learning, we can make real progress.

Role Models and Mentors

The impact of role models and mentors on girls' aspirations in STEM cannot be overstated. By presenting a diverse set of individuals who have succeeded in STEM, we encourage girls to envision themselves in these roles.

Achieving Systemic Change

The call for diversity starts from the top. Advocating for policy changes that promote diversity and inclusion will lead to reforms in the STEM industry.

Actua in Action: Promoting Involvement in STEM among Girls

Actua has successfully launched a National Girls Program in Canada. This initiative exposes girls to STEM outside of their school environment, boosting their confidence and interest. Similarly, other initiatives focus on online safety, especially for girls, and promote careers in cybersecurity.

Continuing the Discussion for Diversity

In conclusion, addressing gender disparity in the STEM industry is a global agenda. Though the challenge is significant, targeted interventions, supportive environments, and systemic changes can move us towards a more inclusive future.

Please feel free to reach out or visit Actua's website at 'actua.ca' for more information on this critical topic. Or follow Jennifer Flanagan on Twitter @ActuaCEO to engage in this ongoing discussion.

The journey to gender equity in STEM might be long, but together, we can make a positive difference. Let’s continue the discussion and keep pushing for reform.


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