Thursday, Nov. 7 2024 06:00 Last updated on: Thursday, Nov 7 2024, 06:07

Illustration: Natasha Jahan

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Illustration: Natasha Jahan

Women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) face numerous challenges early in their careers that often have a long-lasting impact on their professional journeys. Despite progress in education, a clear gap remains in both opportunity and representation, leaving many women in STEM to face barriers, bias and isolation. According to the World Bank Bangladesh Country Gender Assessment 2021, women represented only 14% of all STEM professionals in 2019.

Entering a male-dominated field often means working with people who are biased from the start. Afifa Tajrin, energy and environmental, social and governance (ESG) consultant and founder of Regear, reflects on her early experiences: “Early in my career, it was difficult to navigate a male-dominated workplace. to counter the biased perspectives of my peers because they perceived women as less competent.”

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Anika Tasnim Shamonty, a product analyst at a popular ride-hailing company in Bangladesh, has seen similar biases in the workplace. Anika shares, “I have always seen a bias against women in almost all sectors because men are preferred in the STEM workforce. Although employment has become more inclusive than before, there is still a huge gap in the number of female employees.”

“I suppose it’s common for all working women to work two or three times as much as men, but still struggle to get the same recognition. Throughout my career, I had to put in extra effort just to prove myself. What impacted me. the most was that no matter how hard I worked, my shortcomings were highlighted instead of my achievements, I really struggled to stay motivated,” Afifa added.

The barriers women face not only affect their current roles, but also limit their opportunities for career development, leading to fewer leadership roles and missed opportunities for advancement. Hussna Jalal Ruthila, a quality control and support engineer at Hatim Group of Industries, finds career advancement more challenging than her male counterparts. “Implicit biases and fewer networking opportunities make it difficult for women in STEM,” she said. “Many ideas from my peers are often overlooked and rejected. We are also often assigned less challenging tasks and field work opportunities have also been denied due to perceived difficulties in meeting the needs of women.”

Illustration: Abir Hossain

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Illustration: Abir Hossain

Networking is crucial in any field, but it’s especially important in male-dominated industries. “The corporate landscape remains largely male-dominated, but my skills and expertise have allowed me to stand out in my role. Learning from others and staying connected can help you access new opportunities. Having a strong support system and building strong professional relationships can increase your visibility and career prospects,” says Ananya Praminik, Project Control Manager at Huawei Bangladesh, for whom such connections and learning opportunities have been instrumental in her career development its.

Leadership programs such as Shoktikonna and WePower Women in Energy & Power Sector Network South Asia have provided invaluable platforms for networking and career development, helping women find peers and mentors in STEM fields. However, as Shababa Hossain, co-founder of Dark Kak – a tech startup – points out, accessing these networks is not always easy for women. “One of the most persistent challenges is the lack of access to valuable networks. With so few women in tech, it’s harder for us to connect with mentors, investors or peers who can help us grow,” she says.

Women entrepreneurs in STEM face additional challenges. right Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs 2021Bangladesh ranks last among 65 countries, partly due to funding and higher education constraints. Shababa says, “Women entrepreneurs need to prove that they have access to more opportunities, but restrictions make it difficult to demonstrate their capabilities.” She points out that even when women do connect with investors, they often have to endure biases that perceive them as less trustworthy.

Anika believes that the industry should actively work towards creating a more inclusive culture. “The industry should introduce and include more women-centric programs. Adding female mentors could be a great inclusion, and policies dedicated exclusively to female participation would have a significant impact,” she suggests.

Illustration: Junaid Iqbal Ishmam

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Illustration: Junaid Iqbal Ishmam

Despite many shortcomings in the professional field, inadequate focus on practical skills and industry exposure in educational institutions also creates barriers for women. Kariba Hasan, Director at National Solar Help Desk, says, “Although my education gave me a solid foundation, there were certain gaps, particularly in terms of practical skills and industry exposure, that I had to address on own account through internships. and self-study.”

This lack of hands-on experience is reflected by recent data from a SheSTEM study involving input from 700 STEM students in Bangladesh, which found that 58 percent of study respondents also believe that hands-on learning experiences are important.

Tarunnyamoye Kundu, an independent researcher specializing in machine learning and smart cities, recalls how this influenced his journey. “I wasn’t allowed to stay in my university’s computer lab after sunset to code, although my male colleagues were,” she says. “Being forced to leave the lab felt unfair and frustrating, especially when I was trying to put in the same effort as my male colleagues. It was disheartening to have those limitations because of my gender, like my passion and dedication. it didn’t matter that much.”

Kariba believes that educational institutions could better support women by offering mentoring programs, promoting female role models in STEM, creating networking opportunities, and most importantly, providing encouragement. Afifa, who has been fortunate to work under supportive managers, points out that mentorship can make a profound difference. She advises young women to actively seek out mentors and remain confident in their abilities. Hussna emphasizes the importance of such environments, “Supportive and inclusive work environments can certainly make a big difference for women in STEM.”

With the right support, women can focus on their strengths and career progression without the added pressure of having to overcome stereotypes. For women considering a career in STEM, Afsana Mini, a research consultant at the Center for Geographic and Environmental Information Services (CEGIS), advises resilience and curiosity. “Stay curious and be clear about what really appeals to you in STEM. Find mentors and don’t shy away from difficult subjects,” she encourages.

Navigating a career in STEM is challenging as it is. However, women can be anything they want to be, which is why closing the gender gap in STEM shouldn’t just be an afterthought, but an initiative to work diligently on.

Reference:

World Bank (2022). Bangladesh Country Gender Assessment 2021.

SheSTEM (May 2024). Bridging Barriers: Uncovering Perspectives and Unlocking Opportunities for Women in STEM.

Mastercard (March 2022). Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs.