According to UN Women, less than 30% of researchers globally are women, and in countries like the Democratic Republic of the Congo, that number drops below 10%. These figures do not reflect a lack of talent — they reveal an environment that fails to offer equal opportunities for talent to grow.
When talent no longer believes in itself
OECD data shows that by age 15, many high-performing girls in maths, science and tech start to doubt their own abilities. The causes are complex and deeply connected:
- Lack of visible female role models in technical fields
- Cultural stereotypes linking science to masculinity
- Family or societal expectations of what a girl should be or do
- Limited access to technology in vulnerable communities
This combination does not just damage self-confidence — it shapes life decisions. When a teenage girl chooses not to study engineering, physics or coding — is she truly making a free choice?
The power (or absence) of role models
When girls do not see women scientists, programmers, engineers or mathematicians in their textbooks, they have fewer opportunities to see themselves in those roles. The absence of role models does not just discourage interest — it narrows horizons.
A 2022 UNESCO report shows that girls are as interested as boys in STEM subjects at primary level, but that interest drops sharply over time. Why? Because it iss not enough to include technical content — we need a supportive environment of trust, visibility and recognition. In fact…
Science, innovation and gender: why it matters
According to the World Economic Forum, 75% of future jobs will be linked to STEM skills. If girls are not given equal access to these disciplines, they will also be excluded from the fastest-growing and highest-impact sectors.
Moreover, studies confirm that diversity boosts innovation and problem-solving. Including more female voices in science is not symbolic. It is strategic.
A transformation that must begin early
Girls’ access to science cannot be solved at university. It must begin much earlier — in childhood, in the classroom, at home, in the media, and through role models. And it must be supported with concrete actions:
- Mentoring: because having someone to listen and guide makes a real difference.
- Visibility and specialist talks: sessions with professionals in geology, data, engineering or software, helping uncover new fields and real-life role models.
- Development spaces like curricular placements: this moves from theory to practice builds confidence, experience, and a sense of belonging in the STEM world.
In this context, educational initiatives that promote training, mentorship and visibility of female talent are not optional — they are essential. One such initiative is HERoSTEM, a programme designed to support the professional journey of young African women in STEM fields.
Because science is not neutral
Behind every piece of technology, every breakthrough, and every scientific decision, there are people viewing the world from a particular lens. If those people all share the same background, their solutions will be limited too.
That is why getting more girls into science is urgent and vital. Because equity isn’t just a goal. It is a precondition for a fairer, more complete, and more innovative future.
At Fundación Xcalibur, we believe knowledge transforms lives. As a result, we work to help more girls see it as a path that truly belongs to them.
