Women and Girls in STEM Forum
Bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and students to advance the European agenda on gender equality in STEM education and careers.
About the Forum
Every year, Girls Go Circular – in collaboration with the European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) – organises the Women and Girls in STEM Forum. This annual event has become a platform for leading voices of students, teachers, mentors, policymakers, researchers and industry working towards a truly equal and inclusive future of Europe. Over the past two years, the Women and Girls in STEM Forum has attracted over 1,500 participants to identify key actions to bridge the gender gap in STEM and ICT, dismantle gender stereotypes and empower girls to pursue career dreams in science and technology.
Girls and young women have a pivotal role in the event and inspire their peers and the audience, engaging in discussions on eliminating gender bias from STEM with EU policymakers, scientists, and entrepreneurs and sharing success stories to inspire the future EU action on these themes. The Women and Girls in STEM Forum also celebrates the participation of thousands of girls from 13 European countries in the Girls Go Circular project and offer them the opportunity to receive mentoring from leading professionals.
Highlights from the 2nd Edition of #WGSF
On 26 October 2022, the second edition of the Women and Girls in STEM Forum took place in a hybrid format in Brussels. The event gathered +800 educators, policymakers, and influential stakeholders in STEM and gender equality and connected them with the students participating in Girls Go Circular’s innovative learning programme. This year’s theme was “Empowering Girls in Science and Technology”. This edition was marked by the participation of 44 female students from 10 European countries who attended the event in person, after competing in an App Challenge. Watch the key moments of the Women and Girls in STEM Forum 2022 in the Highlights Video or access the full recording of the event (below).
The gender gap in STEM leads to missed opportunities to foster innovation, diversity, and economic growth in the EU. The full and equal participation of all citizens in science and technology is crucial to achieving Europe’s climate-neutrality goals. Therefore, dismantling gender stereotypes is of the highest importance. Speakers at the Women and Girls in STEM Forum 2022 presented several initiatives advancing gender equality and empowering women to pursue careers in STEM. The WGSF Policy Brief outlines key steps identified to tackle the gender gap in STEM.
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Policy Brief
Check out the main findings from Women and Girls in STEM Forum 2022
Closing the Gender Gap for a Sustainable Future
There is a clear link between promoting transversal – digital and entrepreneurial – skills, STEM disciplines, and the green and digital transitions in the European Union. Innovation, novel perspectives, and creative solutions in these fields are vital for a prosperous and sustainable future. Therefore, it is crucial that diverse actors, including women and under-represented groups, take part in ensuring a more inclusive and just transition. The Women and Girls in STEM Forum contributes to the discussion on achieving a carbon-neutral, circular economy and addressing the gender gap in education and training.
Student Challenge
The younger generation will be the one to embrace the challenge of closing the gender gap in STEM and push it forward. Through the Women and Girls in STEM Forum, we connected students, policymakers, and representatives from science and industry, giving them a chance to gain inspiration and learn from each other. Girls Go Circular students formed teams and participated in a challenge to generate novel solutions to debunk gender stereotypes in STEM. The best three teams pitched their idea before an expert jury during the event, and the winning team was offered training to turn their vision into reality.
Highlights from the 1st Edition of #WGSF
The first edition of the Women and Girls in STEM Forum gathered over 400 policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, students, and teachers to advance the European discussions on gender equality in STEM and ICT. The speakers proposed ideas for further action and reported on several initiatives contributing to gender equality in key areas and empowering women to pursue STEM careers. Watch the key moments of the Women and Girls in STEM Forum 2021 in the Highlights Video (below).
The WGSF Policy Brief summarises the main findings of the event’s first edition and highlights essential European policies and initiatives to reduce gender bias in STEM and ICT. Have a look at the policy brief and find inspiration to promote gender equality in STEM and ICT!
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Policy Brief
Check out the main findings from Women and Girls in STEM Forum 2021