According to data disclosed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the representation of women in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) field in Nepal is noticeably low, accounting for only 7.8% of the workforce. The significant gender gap in this industry can be attributed to several factors, such as gender predispositions, limited female role models, inadequate opportunities for networking and capacity-building, and deficient national policies that cater to women’s needs.
To react to this critical issue, a group has emerged with a strong objective and vision to empower and stimulate more girls and women to pursue careers in STEM fields in Nepal. By doing this, the group hopes to establish the foundation for a fair and comprehensive workforce, where men and women can work together to achieve greater success.
The support of women in STEM industries is fundamental to our nation’s progress, and we aim to utilize every resource available to enhance their voice and contribute to the nation’s growth.
A training program for female academics and researchers in the STEM sector, in collaboration with Mid-West University in Nepal, has been completed, demonstrating a commitment to increasing gender diversity and equal opportunities for women in science.
In honor of International Women's Day 2023, we held a STEM training program in partnership with the Research Centre for Applied Sciences and Technology in Kritipur. The program empowered female researchers and academics by providing career counseling, journal and opportunity finding, and research proposal writing. Our goal was to celebrate women's science achievements and inspire them to overcome obstacles.
The Center for Natural and Applied Sciences held a capacity-building training for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in Biratnagar (Koshi Province) with the support of the Research Management Cell, Adarsha Multiple Campus, Biratnagar, and Tribhuvan University. We covered topics like plagiarism and copyright, career counseling, and national and international research opportunities. We also taught attendees how to write research proposals.