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Bangladesh is increasingly recognizing the pivotal role of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) in driving economic growth and technological advancements. The nation’s pursuit of a digitally-driven future is underscored by initiatives like Vision 2021, which aims to transform Bangladesh into a knowledge-based society. While the nation has made collective strides in expanding access to education, gender disparities prevail in STEM fields. Only 21% of the country’s STEM graduates are female, reflecting a significant gap in female representation in these domains.
Beyond the imperative of gender parity, female representation in STEM is crucial for fostering innovation, addressing societal challenges, and driving inclusive economic growth. Despite comprising half of the talent pool, women remain significantly underrepresented in STEM fields, particularly in engineering and technology, perpetuating the imbalance in the workforce and stifling diversity of thought and perspective.
The leaky pipeline concept illustrates the attrition of female talent across the STEM education and career trajectory. Systemic barriers and cultural biases impede their progression into each education level, leading to disproportionate dropout rates compared to their male counterparts and limited advancement opportunities. While the primary enrollment rate stands at an impressive 122%, these numbers drop significantly as they transition towards secondary and tertiary education, at 74% and 19% respectively.
Shockingly, out of this 19%, only 1.5% venture into engineering, reflecting a loss of female potential in critical STEM disciplines. Factors contributing to the leaky pipeline include educational barriers, workplace challenges, and societal expectations that discourage women from pursuing STEM careers. These barriers can be categorised into three buckets namely: a) household expectations, b) access to quality education, and c) career aspirations. Moreover, these challenges are further compounded by pervasive gender stereotypes, workplace safety concerns, and a lack of clarity on career pathways, further exacerbating the leaky pipeline effect.
At its core, the leaky pipeline highlights systemic barriers and cultural biases that hinder women’s progress in STEM. Low enrollment rates in Bangladesh further limit female representation. This restricts career opportunities and prevents the nation from fully utilizing its STEM talent.
Deep-rooted biases permeate educational materials, with textbooks across various regions inadequately representing female figures. For example, In secondary school English textbooks, females represent only 37% in Bangladesh. This sends implicit messages about gender roles and career suitability. This disparity discourages young girls from pursuing STEM subjects, perpetuating societal stereotypes. The absence of female role models and mentors worsens these challenges. As a result, aspiring young women lack guidance and support when navigating STEM pathways.
Upon entering the workforce, female STEM graduates face numerous challenges. These include limited career opportunities, unequal pay, and workplace environments that hinder professional growth. Family obligations, safety concerns, and societal expectations exacerbate these hurdles, contributing to high attrition rates among women in STEM professions.
Insufficient policies and practices within organisations sustain the leaky pipeline phenomenon, driving talented women away from STEM careers. Occupational segregation perpetuates the gender pay gap, funnelling women into lower-paying sectors and positions. Discrimination in hiring exacerbates this trend, limiting women’s access to lucrative employment opportunities.
Moreover, the underrepresentation of women in decision-making roles deters the implementation of equitable pay policies, exacerbating wage disparities. Addressing these systemic challenges requires comprehensive strategies. This includes dismantling gender biases, fostering inclusive workplaces, and advocating for regulatory frameworks that ensure gender equity in STEM fields.
Globally, transformative initiatives are breaking barriers and empowering underprivileged girls. These programs provide access to quality STEM education and mentorship from experienced professionals. By building confidence and sparking interest in STEM disciplines, they help bridge the gender gap.
Initiatives such as “STEM Classes for Underprivileged Girls” and mentorship programs play a pivotal role in providing access to quality STEM education and mentorship from seasoned professionals. These programs aim to dismantle systemic barriers and biases in education, empowering girls with the skills and support needed to pursue STEM careers.
Initiatives like “STEM Classes for Underprivileged Girls” and mentorship programs play a crucial role. These programs offer quality STEM education and guidance from seasoned professionals. These efforts aim to eliminate systemic barriers and biases in education, equipping girls with the skills and support needed for STEM careers. By fostering interest and confidence among young girls, these initiatives contribute to bridging the gender gap in STEM fields.
Drawing inspiration from global examples, Bangladesh can glean valuable insights into effective strategies for promoting gender equality in education. Finland, guided by its Equality Act, enforces gender equality across all educational levels. The country emphasizes systematic efforts to eliminate gender stereotypes and biases.
Meanwhile, Sweden has integrated gender stereotype eradication into its national curriculum. It has pioneered initiatives such as gender-neutral preschools to create inclusive learning environments. These successful models offer actionable strategies for Bangladesh to promote gender equality and inclusivity in its educational system.
Promoting Inclusion in the Energy Sector: Launched in 2019, the WePOWER Network anchored by the World Bank’s South Asia Gender and Energy Facility advocates for the inclusion of women in South Asia’s energy sector. The network focuses on five key pillars: STEM education, recruitment, professional development, retention, and policy and institutional change.
WePOWER engages in study tours, field visits, workshops, and mentorship programs. In 2021 alone, the network reached over 13,400 women through 628 activities with support from 28 East Asian energy sector partners. Looking ahead, it plans to reach more than 19,000 women through over 900 activities in 2022, fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce in the male-dominated energy field.
While the leaky pipeline phenomenon presents significant challenges for female STEM representation in Bangladesh, concerted efforts and targeted interventions can create a more inclusive STEM ecosystem.
Overcoming the leaky pipeline phenomenon requires systemic changes in educational curricula, workplace policies, and societal attitudes.
Mentorship programs, targeted recruitment initiatives and advocacy for gender-inclusive policies are critical for promoting gender diversity in STEM. By investing in the empowerment of women in STEM fields, Bangladesh can unlock its full potential for innovation and economic development, driving sustainable growth and prosperity for all.
To read more about the state of female STEM education in Bangladesh, read our report here.
Ameera Fairooz, a Senior Business Consultant, at LightCastle Partners has prepared the write-up. For further clarification, please contact: [email protected]
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