Companies in life sciences industry must focus on training and enhancing the skills of women in STEM areas

The participation of women in the economy is crucial for sustainable development, poverty reduction, and a more equitable society. STEM fields offer an opportunity to engage women in the economy by adding new perspectives, skills, and knowledge to research and development, product design, and services.

However, women’s talent remains largely untapped in many areas, and gender gaps are closing slowly, especially in leadership roles, as recent data shows:

Women’s Representation in STEM

  • Only 27% of manufacturing employees in the U.S. are women, even though women represent 47% of the country’s workforce (Deloitte).
  • An estimated 20% of engineering professionals are women (World Economic Forum).
  • Women hold 24% of leadership roles in technology and 16% in infrastructure (World Economic Forum).
  • Women account for only 31% of individuals in research and development professions (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).

The gender disparity in STEM is concerning, especially as these careers are often described as the “jobs of the future,” driving innovation, social well-being, inclusive growth, and sustainable development.

Companies in life sciences, technology, and advanced manufacturing industries must focus on training and enhancing the skills of women in STEM areas to close these gaps and foster a fairer economic model for everyone.

Why Should Equity in STEM Careers Be a Priority?

Companies should recognize that a more diverse workforce leads to greater efficiency, a better work environment, and a more ethical and responsible organizational culture. Including more women in STEM roles can yield many benefits, such as:

  • Diverse teams are better at decision-making 87% of the time and are 70% more likely to capture more markets (World Economic Forum).
  • Increasing gender diversity in STEM fields can lead to improved research outcomes, as diverse perspectives can offer unique insights into research questions (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
  • More diversity among role models in STEM provides girls and women with mentors and representative figures to aspire to.
  • Greater gender diversity in STEM fields can improve product and service development, enhancing their capacity to meet the needs of all consumers.
  • Narrowing the gender gap in STEM contributes to broader social progress, leading to a more just and equitable society.

Despite these benefits, women still face significant obstacles in pursuing opportunities in STEM. Here are some key challenges:

Main Obstacles for Women in the Manufacturing Industry

  • Stereotypes: The traditional association of STEM fields with masculine qualities leads to stereotypes that can discourage women from pursuing STEM education and careers. These biases also affect hiring and funding, influencing women’s low representation in the field.
  • Lack of Role Models: Women are underrepresented in STEM leadership positions, making it difficult for women and girls to find mentors and role models.
  • Low Income/Pay: Across all industries, women earn about 82% of what men do, with even greater disparities during child-bearing years (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
  • Lack of Promotion Opportunities: Women face limited career growth opportunities, with different performance standards for men and women in the industry.

Coyol Free Zone’s Approach to Gender Equity in

At Coyol Free Zone, 54% of the workforce in our companies consists of women in operational, administrative, and managerial positions. We foster a gender-equal culture by focusing on developing diverse and skillful talent.

We are proud to create an environment where companies prioritize women’s representation in leadership roles, effectively doubling their average presence in the manufacturing industry.

By providing the companies in our park with a diverse and well-trained talent pool, we set an example for other free zones and the broader smart manufacturing industry.