New Zealand is making great strides and changes in the STEM fields. The CSW63 Side Event: Access to STEM Education and Infrastructure Careers for Women and Girls in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, provided some very encouraging news about how STEM is being transformed by girls and women. The panel consisted of several extraordinary women from New Zealand, who represented companies and governmental roles that are taking gender equality very seriously.
The first speaker was from GirlBoss. The programs focus is to close the gender gap in the STEM fields by targeting high school aged girls through workshops, networking, and community building. GirlBoss is impacting young girls dreams of working and studying in STEM fields.
Ernst and Young (EY) is a global law firm based in New Zealand that is changing the way it does business when it comes to gender equality. They are making a conscience choice to recruit and place women in more prominent roles with in the company. They recognize what value assets women are to the teams they are on and encourage them to be role models to younger women who are looking for jobs in the STEM fields. The program Women-Fast-Forward provides valuable information and guidance to women looking to work for EY or any business.
BECA, is an engineering firm and so much more, that is opening doors for women in STEM fields. They encourage thinking beyond labels and finding what you love to do regardless of gender. The company is changing the way they think about gender roles by offering flexible working schedules, encouraging equal responsibility at work or at home and holding focus groups to find out what ares are being overlooked and need to be improved. They also believe in going beyond their own company and engaging the masses/ society in the conversation. Be it parents, educators, boys, girls, or role models; everyone needs to be aware of gender equality. By hosting events like the Wonder Project, they engage the community and are making people think about STEM and those that work in the field.
Each panelist shared they encourage women to strive for more than the normal gender roles so that they may begin to close the gender gap. They are working to make STEM fields more exciting and inclusive. Asking society to have an open mind and understanding that STEM jobs are no long just for men but for all!
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