UNESCO:Gender inequality in STEM delays sustainable development

BANGKOK, August 28 (TNA) - The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) says a latest survey has shown that the gender inequality in the studies and careers of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), in which women have had less opportunities than men, should delay the global achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations. Reporting on its latest survey in Bangkok on Monday, UNESCO indicated the survey on Cracking the Code: Girls' and Women's Education in STEM has shown that the gender inequality in the studies and careers in STEM is more articulate during the high school to university levels, as only 35 per cent of female students studied in STEM and only 3 per cent of women worked in the information technology (IT) sector. UNESCO pointed out that a traditional social value that men are more suitable for the STEM work has hindered girls and women from the access to the studies and work in the global STEM. UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova stressed, meanwhile, that the gender inequality in the studies and careers in STEM could delay the global achievement of the 2030 UN-SDGs, suggesting that schools and universities promote the studies of and the access to STEM of female students to bridge the disparity in STEM. Thai Vice Minister for Education Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sophon Napathorn declared that Thailand is the first country in Asia-Pacific that has moved forward to bridge the gender inequality in STEM under the UNESCO-supported STEM and Gender Advancement (SAGA) Project with its successful results considered to be a model for other countries in the region. Malaysian Minister of Education Dato Seri Mahdzir Bin Khalid revealed that Malaysia has not seriously faced the problem of gender inequality in STEM because the number of female population in Malaysia has considerably outpaced the number of male population and the Malaysian government has paid attention to the studies of and the access to STEM at all educational levels. (TNA)