Growing up, the stars would fascinate me. Tiny specks of light were always there, behind the clouds, above the foggy winter nights, sometimes complementing the moonlight. I could make up patterns from the stars, and I would observe that these patterns would come back to the same spot even when they were scattered. Patterns were comforting to me; they provided me with a sense of constant continuity. I was also curious as to why things happen the way they do, from trying to mix toothpaste with alta to mimic the texture of lipstick, to trying to mix salt with a bunch of random things just to see what happens.

As a child, my mind was filled with fascination for the ways of nature. I looked for answers and found Bernoulli's answers to dancing atoms, Doppler's theories to why a siren from a moving train doesn't sound the same everywhere, how stars are balls of fire, and how we can find through science the answers to interconnectivity between everything.

However, I was never too keen on looking at the people behind the theories or the inventions. I was happy to learn, and eventually, I decided to pursue a career in science. As I went from high school to university to pursuing science professionally, I noticed that my peers went from being a mix of men and women to being mostly men. Often, at meetings with engineers, I was the only woman in the room. In some places, they would think my opinion mattered less, in others my opinion was too important.

Looking back, all the scientists that I looked up to were men. Of course, there were women like Marie Curie and Rosalind Franklin, but they were overshadowed by the men that were always talked about. Historically, we never gave proper credit to women's contributions in science.

Additionally in design, crash dummies were modelled on the average male body for decades, leading to higher injury rates for women in car accidents. Even products used exclusively by women are not tested with the female body in mind. For example, sanitary pads and tampons are tested using water or saline, which do not match the viscosity, clotting or absorption properties of real menstrual blood.

Examples like this exist because of the lack of female representation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines all over the world, with brown and black women rarely being celebrated. Female representation in STEM is crucial for driving innovation, addressing societal challenges, and ensuring that diverse perspectives are integrated into scientific and technological advancement. When women, especially women of colour, are included in scientific research and technological development, they bring unique lived experiences and perspectives that can fundamentally transform how problems are understood and solved. Studies from organisations like McKinsey consistently show that gender-diverse leadership correlates with more comprehensive sustainability reporting and proactive climate risk management, leading to substantially higher commitment and environmental and social governance strategies.

Female leadership in tech companies correlates with more robust ethical frameworks. Companies with women in key tech leadership roles are more likely to develop comprehensive algorithmic bias detection systems and implement inclusive design principles. Their teams consistently produce technologies that demonstrate greater consideration for diverse user experiences and are considerate of potential societal impacts.

Moreover, increased representation helps dismantle systemic barriers and creates role models for future generations. When young girls, particularly girls of colour, see scientists, engineers and technologists who look like them achieving remarkable things, it expands their perception of what's possible.

Our collective future depends on transforming STEM disciplines into truly inclusive spaces. For students and early-career professionals, this means actively seeking mentorship, challenging existing structures, and creating supportive networks that amplify marginalised voices. Educational institutions must redesign recruitment, retention, and advancement strategies to genuinely support women's participation in STEM. Corporate and research leaders must move beyond what seems like symbolic or token diversity initiatives by implementing concrete mechanisms that include transparent hiring practices, equitable promotion pathways, meaningful leadership opportunities, and organisational cultures that value diverse perspectives fundamental to innovation.

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Ensure equity for girls in education

Policymakers and funding agencies must prioritise research grants, scholarships, and support systems specifically designed to remove barriers for women in STEM. Investment in these areas is strategically imperative for technological and scientific advancement.

In today's world, where growing population thinks gender issues are considered funny or perceived as useless, it is important that we create equitable future for girls, where they are safe, thriving, and do not have to face the hardships of their predecessors.

Individual action is powerful. Whether you're a student, professional, educator or leader, commit to one tangible step: mentor a young woman in STEM, challenge discriminatory practices, amplify women's achievements, and support initiatives that create more inclusive scientific spaces. Our collective future of innovation depends on unleashing the full potential of every talented individual, regardless of gender or background.

Raida A. K. Reza is doctoral researcher at United Nations University's Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and of Resources (UNU-FLORES), Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER), and Technische Universität Dresden.

Views expressed in this article are the author's own. 

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