Despite decades of progress, gender imbalances in STEM persist around the world.
Globally, women make up only about 35 % of STEM graduates, even though they represent over half of all university students, a figure that hasn’t budged much in the last ten years. From there, the disparity widens: women hold fewer than 25 % of science, engineering and ICT jobs, and remain under‑represented in emerging tech sectors and leadership roles.
These gaps aren’t because girls lack ability; in many places they outperform boys in science and digital literacy at school. Yet stereotypes, bias and structural barriers still influence how girls see their futures, long before they step into a lecture hall or boardroom.
If we want innovation to reflect the full range of talent in our communities, we need not just more women in STEM, but more women leading STEM. Here’s what I’d tell any girl thinking about a career in this space:
You don’t need to start in STEM to lead in STEM
I didn’t come from an engineering background, I taught myself, played with tools, broke many things and learned by sitting next to brilliant technical people while focussing on offering commercial insight. Curiosity, product instinct and commercial judgment are just as critical as knowing how to code.
That’s especially true today: with the array of AI tools now available, non‑technical people with strong product sense can build or shape technical products directly. Your commercial instincts, creativity, and strategic thinking are part of what makes technology meaningful.
Get fluent, not perfect
You don’t have to write every line of code, but understanding how systems work, how data flows, and what technology can realistically do is essential. Think of it like learning a new language: you don’t need to be a native speaker, but you do need to understand enough to communicate, ask questions, and make decisions. Fluency gives you credibility with engineers, designers, and data teams and, crucially, earns you a seat at the decision-making table.
Being fluent also means being able to spot opportunities or problems that others might miss. For example, knowing how data pipelines work could help you identify ways to optimise a product or automate a process. The more you understand, the more confidently you can shape strategy, challenge assumptions, and influence outcomes.
Use growth as your wedge
Growth is where technology meets real-world impact. Skills like digital marketing, data analysis, SEO, AI tooling, and experimentation are powerful entry points into tech leadership, particularly in industries that were historically offline.
Starting in growth allows you to see how products interact with real users, how data drives decisions, and how technology solves tangible problems. It’s a space where diverse perspectives thrive, because understanding human behavior, spotting patterns, and experimenting creatively are just as important as coding skills. Growth roles also naturally expose you to cross-functional teams, giving you insight into engineering, product design, and business strategy, the perfect foundation for leadership.
Don’t shrink your ambition to fit the room
Yes, STEM still has bias. You may notice people talking over you in meetings, assumptions about your technical ability, or subtle cues that suggest you don’t “belong” in the conversation. The answer isn’t to be quieter or to try to prove you’re technical enough, it’s to build leverage through results and confidence through execution.
Keep going, show up consistently, deliver outcomes, and be unafraid to ask questions or challenge ideas. Be present in the rooms where decisions happen, even if you feel outnumbered. Listen, absorb, and then contribute because your perspective is valuable. Over time, people respect and follow those who combine insight with action, not just those who fit a preconceived mold.
Cultivate an appetite to learn
Curiosity is your greatest asset. Read widely – books, blogs, research papers, even tweets from thought leaders in your industry. Follow experts, innovators, and peers who inspire you, and see how they approach problems. Ask questions relentlessly, because the smartest people aren’t those who know everything, they’re the ones who know how to listen and learn.
Embrace not knowing as a strength, not a weakness. Every unfamiliar concept is an opportunity to expand your understanding, to experiment, and to build confidence. Learning is never a straight path, but the more you actively seek it, the faster you grow. Enjoy it, and let it fuel your ambition.
The world needs more women shaping the technologies that will define our future – not just participating in them, but leading them. That doesn’t require a traditional STEM path, but it does require courage, curiosity, and persistence. If you bring those traits with you, there’s no limit to what you can build or lead, and your voice will make the whole field stronger.
