Celebrating International Women’s Day 2020

Equity & Inclusion
Written By Mhairi McCann

While International Women’s Day, 8th March, came just a few days after our launch, we wanted to make sure that we took time to celebrate it. Gender inequality very much still exists in science, technology, engineering & maths (STEM) and as a result, only 30% of the world’s researchers are women.[1] It’s a global problem, and it’s one we need to take action on, because we need people of all genders doing STEM if we are to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

We’ve chosen to celebrate International Women’s Day by amplifying some amazing young people from around the world who are already taking action, and are using STEM to help achieve SDG 5 - gender equality…

Avye standing & smiling in front of background with sponsor company logos

Avye Couloute, 12, England

Avye is a 12 year old on a mission! She creates opportunities for girls to do coding & robotics by running regular events, and has founded the organisation ‘Girls Into Coding’! Avye’s amazing work was recognised last week when she was announced as joint winner of the FDM Everywoman in Technology 'One to Watch' award! Amazing work Avye!

[Image Credit: Everywoman]

Aoibheann standing & smiling in front of a background of sponsor company logos.

Aoibheann Mangan, 13, Ireland

Aoibheann was also named as a joint winner of the FDM Everywoman in Technology 'One to Watch' award!

13 year old Aoibheann mentors dozens of students weekly by running a code club & also campaigns for equal access to broadband in Ireland! Keep up the awesome work Aoibheann!

[Image Credit: Everywoman]

Portrait style photo of Audrey, who is smiling.

Audrey Pe, Philippines

Audrey founded WiTech, a community organisation that seeks to achieve gender equality in technology, after she self taught coding & noticed a lack of female role models in tech. Since, she's held several events (impacting 1000+ students!) & given young people their first access to tech education. Amazing work Audrey!

[Image Credit: WiTech]

Side on view of Alan & Cormac on stage, both holding trophy & smiling for photos, with confetti falling.

Alan O’Sullivan and Cormac Harris, 16, Ireland

Alan and Cormac were crowned overall winners of the 2020 BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition competition!

Their project focused on gender stereotyping in 5-7 year olds and they then developed an initiative to combat gender bias.

[Image Credit: BTYSTE]

Taylor.jpg

Taylor Richardson, 16, USA

Taylor, a 16 year old from USA, has crowdfunded to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to show other girls that they can do STEM. Currently, she is raising money to send another girl to Space Camp this year!

Keep up the brilliant work Taylor!

[Image Credit: The STEAM Squad]

Evie.png

Evie Swire, 12, England

Last but not least, meet 12 year old Evie Swire from England! Evie thinks that paleontologist Mary Anning deserves a statue for her pioneering work so she started the fundraising and awareness raising campaign ‘Mary Anning Rocks’!

We agree Evie- keep up the fantastic work!

[Image Credit: Mary Anning Rocks]

 
UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 icon. Orange background with white text reading '5 Gender Equality' with symbol underneath representing gender equality.

There’s a long way to go before we achieve gender equality in STEM, but with these amazing young people around, we’re definitely making some big progress!

 

References:

[1] Johnny Wood, World Economic Forum, "3 things to know about women in STEM," 11 February 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/02/stem-gender-inequality-researchers-bias/. [Accessed 7 March 2020].

Mhairi McCann

Mhairi (she/her) is Youth STEM 2030’s Founder & CEO, and her work here is fuelled by a deep drive to create possibility for other young changemakers in STEM. Based in Inverclyde, Scotland, her expertise lies in creating meaningful, inclusive and participatory youth inclusion in decision-making. A generalist, Mhairi brings a strategic approach to the pursuit of our mission, and enjoys thinking of the bigger picture and ‘joining the dots’. She has a strong focus on equity & inclusion, is especially passionate about ocean conservation and, in her free time, enjoys volunteering and spending time in nature on long walks with Gordon the dog. Mhairi is a 776 Foundation Climate Fellow, and a 2021 National Geographic Young Explorer, and for her work at Youth STEM 2030, she was named Winner of the 2022 Young Scot Environment Award.

Previous

Introducing Youth STEM Matters!