UNESCO and Symbiosis Empower Girls in STEM for Sustainable Futures

UNESCO and Symbiosis Skills and Professional University recently hosted a transformative workshop, "Jaago: Girls Leading STEM for Sustainable Futures," aimed at empowering girls in STEM fields. The two-day event, held in Pune, focused on making STEM education relevant to the daily lives and aspirations of young girls, fostering a new generation of leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The workshop brought together 60 girls from Classes 9 and 10 in government schools, providing them with hands-on experiences in robotics, green skills, artificial intelligence, and health and well-being. Mentors guided the students through a structured learning journey, emphasizing the practical applications of STEM in areas such as India's green economy, sustainability, and healthcare. The event also highlighted career pathways in emerging STEM fields, including electric vehicles (EVs), artificial intelligence (AI), logistics, marketing, and healthcare, while introducing students to scholarship opportunities and support mechanisms to pursue further studies in STEM.

Building Pathways for Girls in STEM

The workshop was designed to address the underrepresentation of women in the STEM workforce, both in India and globally. In India, while women make up approximately 43% of STEM graduates, their representation in the workforce remains at 27%. Globally, women constitute only 28.2% of the STEM workforce, compared to 47.3% in non-STEM sectors. UNESCO is committed to bridging these gaps and ensuring that girls remain engaged and supported throughout their educational journey, promoting a vision where girls see themselves as future engineers of the green transition, ethical leaders in AI, and innovators in their communities.

The event featured a credit-based model where students earned points for their participation, teamwork, and reflection, which could be exchanged for UNESCO merchandise at the end of the sessions. This approach not only encouraged active engagement but also reinforced the importance of collaboration and critical thinking in STEM education.

Advancing Gender Equality in STEM

Workshops like these are part of UNESCO's broader mission to advance gender equality in STEM fields. They serve as targeted interventions to address the challenges women face in pursuing education and careers in STEM. By providing mentorship, practical skills, and exposure to emerging technologies, UNESCO aims to empower girls to become leaders in fields that are shaping the future.

Symbiosis Skills and Professional University, Pune, which hosted the event, was recently awarded the UNESCO Chair in Gender Inclusion and Skill Development. The UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, launched in 1992, promotes international inter-university cooperation to advance UNESCO's mandate in education, natural and social sciences, culture, and communication, addressing the pressing challenges of our times.

UNESCO's commitment to fostering inclusivity in STEM education is reflected in its ongoing initiatives and partnerships. The organization continues to work towards a future where every girl belongs and every girl can lead, contributing to a more equitable and sustainable world.