According to a recent report by the United Nations, women represent just 35% of the global STEM workforce, with a strikingly low 12% of female members in national science academies. This imbalance is particularly stark in South Asia and Southeast Asia, where women make up just 23% and 27% of the STEM workforce, respectively.
These disparities are not just numbers, they reflect a broader structural issue. The persistent “leaky pipeline” and the “glass ceiling”, coupled with the absence of visible role models, prevent many women from advancing in their careers in STEM.
Addressing gender inequity in STEM requires a global approach, one that encourages collaboration across institutions and regions, while recognising the importance of tailoring solutions to local contexts. Instead of applying a one-size-fits-all model, the focus should be on sharing knowledge and best practices, enriching each other’s perspectives, and developing informed, locally relevant strategies.
At the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), we are proud to have a workforce where over 50% of the staff are women. Our commitment to gender equity extends beyond our internal policies and networks. In 2018, we initiated the OUCRU Women Leaders in Science (OWLS), a network of leading female scientists and research-support staff across our Vietnam, Indonesia and Nepal units.
The full story is available on the OUCRU website.