The 2025 TechWomen application is now open and will close on January 7, 2025 at 9:00AM PST (GMT-08:00). Applicants will be notified of the status of their application (non-select or semi-finalist) no later than April 30, 2025. Final decisions will be made no later than May 31, 2025. All applicants will be notified of the results of their application. See more details.
Read MoreABOUT
The Women in STEM Leaders Network (WomSTEM) was founded by women in STEM in the UN Ecosystem and, research Institutions, civil society and private sector, coming together to make a change, and has grown into an organization that has representation across all sectors.
You can join the network or partner with us as an organization to increase women's STEM Impact and knowledge sharing across Africa and the world, grow your audience, or aid communities to have increased access to future driven insights, ground breaking information, acceleration labs and professional services.
WomSTEM hosts some of the most amazing, accomplished and impactful women in STEM leadership.
You can join the network or partner with us as an organization to increase women's STEM Impact and knowledge sharing across Africa and the world, grow your audience, or aid communities to have increased access to future driven insights, ground breaking information, acceleration labs and professional services.
WomSTEM hosts some of the most amazing, accomplished and impactful women in STEM leadership.
Gender Disparity
The gender gap in STEM remains significant, with women making up only 28% of the STEM workforce.
Despite significant strides in gender equality across various sectors, the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) continue to grapple with a glaring disparity in leadership roles, with women occupying only a fraction of these positions.
Underrepresentation is not merely a statistical anomaly but a symptom of deeper systemic issues that hinder the full potential of our collective intellect and creativity.
To understand the root causes of this imbalance, we must unravel the complex interplay of factors at play. One crucial aspect is the persistent gender stereotypes that permeate our society, shaping perceptions about women's abilities and suitability for leadership roles in technical fields.
From an early age, societal expectations often steer girls away from STEM interests, leading to a smaller pool of female talent entering these domains. This pipeline issue compounds over time, resulting in a reduced number of women progressing to senior leadership positions within STEM organizations.
Furthermore, workplace cultures within STEM industries can be inadvertently exclusive, with norms and practices that favor male leadership styles or marginalize female voices. The lack of diverse representation in decision-making processes can perpetuate existing biases and hinder the creation of inclusive environments where all talents can thrive.
The consequences of underrepresentation extend beyond mere numbers. When women are sidelined from leadership roles in STEM, we lose out on a wealth of diverse perspectives, innovative thinking, and problem-solving approaches. Research consistently shows that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones, both in terms of creativity and financial outcomes.
By excluding women from leadership positions, we are limiting our capacity for true excellence and hindering the progress of STEM fields as a whole.
Moreover, the absence of female role models in senior positions can deter aspiring young women from pursuing careers in STEM, perpetuating a cycle of underrepresentation across generations. Addressing this disparity is not just a matter of fairness but a strategic imperative for fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and creating a more equitable society.
Despite significant strides in gender equality across various sectors, the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) continue to grapple with a glaring disparity in leadership roles, with women occupying only a fraction of these positions.
Underrepresentation is not merely a statistical anomaly but a symptom of deeper systemic issues that hinder the full potential of our collective intellect and creativity.
To understand the root causes of this imbalance, we must unravel the complex interplay of factors at play. One crucial aspect is the persistent gender stereotypes that permeate our society, shaping perceptions about women's abilities and suitability for leadership roles in technical fields.
From an early age, societal expectations often steer girls away from STEM interests, leading to a smaller pool of female talent entering these domains. This pipeline issue compounds over time, resulting in a reduced number of women progressing to senior leadership positions within STEM organizations.
Furthermore, workplace cultures within STEM industries can be inadvertently exclusive, with norms and practices that favor male leadership styles or marginalize female voices. The lack of diverse representation in decision-making processes can perpetuate existing biases and hinder the creation of inclusive environments where all talents can thrive.
The consequences of underrepresentation extend beyond mere numbers. When women are sidelined from leadership roles in STEM, we lose out on a wealth of diverse perspectives, innovative thinking, and problem-solving approaches. Research consistently shows that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones, both in terms of creativity and financial outcomes.
By excluding women from leadership positions, we are limiting our capacity for true excellence and hindering the progress of STEM fields as a whole.
Moreover, the absence of female role models in senior positions can deter aspiring young women from pursuing careers in STEM, perpetuating a cycle of underrepresentation across generations. Addressing this disparity is not just a matter of fairness but a strategic imperative for fostering innovation, driving economic growth, and creating a more equitable society.
Paving the Way Forward
While the challenges are significant, there are tangible steps that organizations and individuals can take to foster greater gender diversity in STEM leadership:
Promoting STEM Education: Investing in programs that encourage girls and young women to explore STEM fields from an early age can help bridge the gender gap in talent pipelines.
Cultivating Inclusive Cultures: Organizations must prioritize creating inclusive cultures that value and amplify diverse voices, ensuring that all employees have equal opportunities for advancement.
Mentorship and Sponsorship: Establishing mentorship and sponsorship programs can provide critical support and guidance for women aspiring to leadership roles in STEM, helping them navigate potential barriers and biases.
Policy and Advocacy: Advocating for policies that promote gender equality, such as pay equity measures and flexible work arrangements, can create a more supportive environment for women in STEM careers.
Celebrating Success Stories: Highlighting and celebrating the achievements of women in STEM leadership can inspire future generations and challenge existing stereotypes.
The underrepresentation of women in STEM leadership is not a problem that will resolve itself. It requires concerted effort, commitment, and collaboration across all levels of society to dismantle barriers, challenge biases, and create pathways for women to thrive in these critical roles. By embracing diversity and inclusion as fundamental principles, we can unlock the full potential of STEM fields and pave the way for a more equitable and innovative future.
(Ref: Women in STEM leadership)
Promoting STEM Education: Investing in programs that encourage girls and young women to explore STEM fields from an early age can help bridge the gender gap in talent pipelines.
Cultivating Inclusive Cultures: Organizations must prioritize creating inclusive cultures that value and amplify diverse voices, ensuring that all employees have equal opportunities for advancement.
Mentorship and Sponsorship: Establishing mentorship and sponsorship programs can provide critical support and guidance for women aspiring to leadership roles in STEM, helping them navigate potential barriers and biases.
Policy and Advocacy: Advocating for policies that promote gender equality, such as pay equity measures and flexible work arrangements, can create a more supportive environment for women in STEM careers.
Celebrating Success Stories: Highlighting and celebrating the achievements of women in STEM leadership can inspire future generations and challenge existing stereotypes.
The underrepresentation of women in STEM leadership is not a problem that will resolve itself. It requires concerted effort, commitment, and collaboration across all levels of society to dismantle barriers, challenge biases, and create pathways for women to thrive in these critical roles. By embracing diversity and inclusion as fundamental principles, we can unlock the full potential of STEM fields and pave the way for a more equitable and innovative future.
(Ref: Women in STEM leadership)
Services
Research
Grant Research, Consultancy Research and Contract Research on salient issues affecting Women in STEM. We partner with civil society, the private sector, international organizations, development agencies, governments, academia, professional associations, and investment partners.
OUTREACH
Connect with your demographic women audience via our outreach service in order to achieve mutual objectives.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
We utilise time tested processes, methods, skills, knowledge and experience to achieve specific project objectives. Engage with our impact driven professionals and experts.
TRAINING
Upskilling and reskilling through technical and non technical training.
Sub-Groups
Women in Health Sciences
Women in Technology
Women in Engineering
Women in Agriculture and Biosystems
Women for Climate & Energy
Women in STEM Academia
Women in Tech Policy & Governance
Women in GIS
Geographical Information Systems. Geomatics. Geo spatial systems.
Women in Education Technology
Combining the use of computer hardware, software, and educational theory and practice to facilitate learning.
University Chapters
Get in touch to get linked to our university affiliates across the world
IN
Connecting the World
FEM-HUB
Fem-Hub is our centre of excellence for women’s STEM innovations in business or social enterprise. It emphasizes a strong focus on sustainability, and ultimately enables entrepreneurship that is impact driven.
Learn MoreWomen in AI Innovation for Africa
Women in AI Innovation for Africa aims at 1. Catalyzing AI Professional Careers. 2. Startup Acceleration. 3. Mentoring Girls & Young Women.
Learn MoreAMBASSADORS
To join the Women in STEM Leaders Ambassadors, email your CV and Linkedin link to admin@womeninstemleaders.org
Learn MoreAI & STEM Partnerships HUB
Key ecosystem partner: Connecting you to world class support services and meaningful engagement: Solutions. Acceleration. Investor Readiness. Funding. Training and capacity building. Coaching and Mentorship.
Learn MoreUNESCO Emerging Technologies
Key Partner: Communications, Technology and Development. AI Biannual Symposium www.colloqueia.comtecdev.com
Learn MoreInternet Society Foundation
Learning Partner: To succeed as leaders in Internet technology, policy, and business, the next generation of Internet leaders needs a wide range of skills in various disciplines.
Learn MoreUNEP
Learning Partner: Digital4Sustainability This Learning Path explores the transformational role digital solutions and innovations can play in advancing environmental and social sustainability.
Learn MoreCGIAR
Knowledge Partner: CGIAR is the world’s largest global agricultural innovation network. It provides evidence to policy makers, innovation to partners, and new tools to harness the economic, environmental and nutritional power of agriculture.
Learn MoreSTARTUP LAB
Supporting and growing startups is not only good for employment, it's good for the economy. The lab supports both women led startups and startups geared at improving the conditions and livelihoods of women.
Learn MoreAFRICA CODE WEEK/KIDS CODE CHALLENGE
Kids Code Challenge builds on the skills acquired during the Africa Code Week, which has introduced over 10 million young learners in Africa to coding, 50% of these being girls.
Learn MoreEvents
Building the capacity of women in small businesses to embrace e-commerce for scale and innovation.
Stakeholders Meeting for the most influential gathering of Women in STEM Leadership in Africa.
Building on the African Union's 2024 theme, "Educate an African fit for the 21st Century", UNESCO and the African Union Commission (AUC) with key continental organizations, are co-organizing a three-day conference to forge a continent-wide strategic partnership to build a transformative science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) ecosystem. This comprehensive approach, coupled with strong collaboration among stakeholders, aims to position Africa as an equal player in the future of STEM education, innovation, entrepreneurship and diplomacy.
Training of Lead Trainers: Experience AI is an innovative educational program designed to provide cutting-edge resources on artificial intelligence and machine learning to teachers and students aged 11–14. This program, a collaborative effort between the Raspberry Pi Foundation, Women TechMakers and Google DeepMind, empowers educators and young learners with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate the exciting and fast-moving field of AI.
The Internet Society Foundation is offering a fully sponsored Virtual Bespoke Training for Women in STEM, September 2024 Cohort. Read more about the program and reserve your place.
Impact entrepreneurship skills are crucial for women in STEM as they empower them to create and lead innovative ventures, fostering economic growth and job creation while addressing social and environmental issues. The event will feature seasoned women leaders who will share their knowledge with women in STEM to inspire them to pursue entrepreneurial paths - ultimately contributing to a more equitable and sustainable future.
Join us tomorrow, *Wednesday 8th May at 5pm EAT* on the sidelines of the UN Civil Society Conference as we discuss *“Multilateral Action to Advancing Climate Smart Technologies”* organized by IEEE Young Professionals Climate and Sustainability Taskforce. We will delve into the pivotal role of technology in achieving environmental SDG indicators and how to accelerate this technology adoption, aligning with the vision outlined in the Global Digital Compact that will be launched at the Summit of the Future. Our speakers will include: * Joseph Nguthiru - Obama leader and top 40 under 40 Africa, * Ida Ng’a’ng’a - Senior Advisor UNESCO Emerging Technologies and President of Women in STEM Leaders Network * Mohamed Abdelraouf - Co-chair of the Science and Technology Major Group and Stakeholders to UNEP. Register on the link and please install *webex* beforehand:
Join us for an enlightening exploration of women's leadership in the realm of STEM! Enjoy the vibrant program featuring captivating discussions, insightful panels, and empowering stories. ZERO COST. Register on the buy now link.
***Women in STEM Leaders Forum, December Wellness Day Sunday Dec 17 Womstem sub group taking the lead: Women in Agriculture and BioSystems Women in Health Sciences (food & nutrition arm) Womstem sub groups that will be represented: Women in Science, Women in Tech, Women in Engineering, Women in STEM Education All women are welcome to unwind, improve productivity, gain knowledge, and widen their networks. Topics: Emotional Intelligence Inclusivity ***Women in STEM Leaders Forum, Friday, February 9th Follow up to Wellness Day Cost $100
Collaboration with Columbia University Global Centres, UNESCO, and Society of Women Engineers.
Join us as we end the year with pomp and celebration.
Financial Investment and Planning for Women in STEM
The Nexus of music, art and technology 🎊
International Day of the Girl *Venue:* Columbia Global Centers, Nairobi. 8th Floor, Wing A, Westcom Point, Mahiga Mairu Ave, Off Waiyaki Way, Westlands. *Date:* Tuesday, 11th October, 2022 *Time:* 2pm to 5pm
Articles
Despite lingering doubts, the carbon market is experiencing continuous growth. With the ambitious target of reducing carbon dioxide levels by 43% by 2030 becoming increasingly challenging, the sale of carbon credits has become a lifeline for many industries, including electric vehicle manufacturers and renewable cooking appliance producers.
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Africa is home to countless qualified and competent women, who have made significant contributions to our continent's progress. The absence of a female candidate in the final four is a stark reminder, of the persistent gender inequalities that continue to plague our societies.
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The changing environment in Nairobi serves as a wake-up call, emphasizing the importance of addressing climate change worldwide.
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Emotional intelligence (EI) significantly aids technological innovation by fostering better teamwork, creativity, and decision-making.
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The recent internet disruptions in East Africa caused by damaged undersea cables serve as a stark reminder of our critical dependence on this infrastructure.
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Climate Change is a big threat to mankind and the world. We have to come up with solutions urgently. While reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains the primary strategy, scientists are looking into other approaches like solar radiation management(SRM).
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Global attention to sustainability, technology, and climate change has increased to previously unheard-of heights this year. Each day brings about new developments, with vehicles, industries, and machines relying heavily on fossil fuels, amplifying environmental pollution.
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Contact
- United Nations Crescent, Nairobi, Kenya
