UNESCO reveals women make up 35% of STEM graduates worldwide. Deep-rooted gender stereotypes in mathematics continue to hinder progress.
A new UNESCO report, released on May 19, 2025, states that women constitute 35% of STEM graduates globally, a stagnant figure over the past ten years. Despite women comprising 54% of all tertiary education graduates, their presence in STEM remains low, primarily due to pervasive gender stereotypes in mathematics. These biases often portray maths as a “male domain,” discouraging girls from pursuing STEM disciplines early on.
The report also points to systemic challenges, such as a lack of female role models and insufficient policies supporting women in STEM. Globally, women account for 46% of researchers but only 31% of senior research positions, highlighting a leadership disparity. In India, women STEM graduates stand at 42%, slightly above the global average, yet the broader gap persists.
UNESCO calls for urgent measures, including gender-sensitive education, mentorship for girls, and policy reforms to dismantle stereotypes. Promoting female STEM role models and creating inclusive programs like coding workshops for girls are key steps forward. Without these changes, the gender gap in STEM will continue to stifle diversity and innovation in these vital fields.
