Thu November 7, 2024 06:00 Last updated: Thu November 7, 2024 06:07

Illustration: Natasha Jahan

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Illustration: Natasha Jahan

Women working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields face many challenges early in their careers, which often have lasting impacts on their career paths. Despite advances in education, a clear gap remains in opportunity and representation, leaving many women in STEM fields struggling with barriers, bias, and isolation. According to the World Bank’s Bangladesh National Gender Assessment 2021, women made up 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: “Navigating a male-dominated workplace was difficult for me at first. start of my career. to deal with the biased opinions of my colleagues who perceived women as less competent.

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Anika Tasnim Shamonty, a product analyst at a renowned ride-sharing company in Bangladesh, has observed similar biases in the workplace. Anika shares, “I have always seen a bias against women in almost every industry as men are preferred in the STEM workforce. Although hiring has become more inclusive than before, there is still a huge disparity in the number of female employees.

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

The obstacles women face not only affect their current roles, but also limit their chances for career advancement, leading to fewer leadership positions and missed advancement opportunities. Hussna Jalal Ruthila, a quality control and support engineer at Hatim Group of Industries, finds advancing her career more difficult than her male counterparts. “Implicit bias and fewer networking opportunities make it harder for women in STEM fields,” she said. “Many ideas from my female colleagues are often overlooked and dismissed. We are also often given less difficult tasks and fieldwork opportunities have also been turned down due to perceived difficulties in meeting women’s needs.

Illustration: Abir Hossain

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Illustration: Abir Hossain

Networking is crucial in all fields, but it is 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 the development of his career.

Leadership programs like Shoktikonna and the 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. Yet, 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 fields face additional challenges. According to the Mastercard Women Entrepreneurs Index 2021Bangladesh ranks low on the list of 65 countries, partly due to funding and higher education constraints. Shababa shares: “Women entrepreneurs need to prove themselves to access more opportunities, but restrictions make it difficult to demonstrate their capabilities. » She points out that even when women come into contact with investors, they often have to deal with 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 solely to women’s participation would have a significant impact,” she suggests.

Illustration: Junaid Iqbal Ishmam

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Illustration: Junaid Iqbal Ishmam

Despite many gaps in the professional field, insufficient focus on practical skills and industry exposure in educational institutions also creates barriers for women. Kariba Hasan, National Solar Help Desk Executive, said: “While my education provided me with a solid foundation, there were some gaps, particularly in terms of practical skills and industry exposure, which I had to make up for it myself through internships. and self-learning.

This lack of hands-on experience is echoed in recent data from a SheSTEM study of the insights of 700 STEM students in Bangladesh, which found that 58 percent of the study’s respondents also believe that hands-on learning experiences are important.

Tarunnyamoye Kundu, an independent researcher specializing in machine learning and smart cities, recalls the impact this had on her career. “I wasn’t allowed to stay in my university’s computer lab after sunset to code, while my male classmates were,” she shares. “Being forced to leave the lab was unfair and frustrating, especially when I was trying to match my male peers. It was disheartening to have these limitations placed on me simply because of my gender, as if my passion and dedication didn’t matter as 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 had the chance to work under supportive managers, emphasizes that mentoring 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 fields. »

With the right support, women can focus on their strengths and advance in their careers 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 Environmental and Geographic Information Services (CEGIS), advises having resilience and curiosity. “Stay curious and be clear about what really draws you to STEM. Find mentors and don’t be afraid to tackle the difficult topics,” she encourages.

Navigating a career in STEM is already a challenge. Nonetheless, women can be anything they want to be, which is precisely why closing the gender gap in STEM should not be an afterthought, but an initiative to be worked diligently towards.

Reference:

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

SheSTEM (May 2024). Barriers to Bridges: Uncovering Insights and Unlocking Opportunities for Women in STEM.

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