Women in Engineering Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Demonstrate the Gender Gap in Stem

International Women in Engineering Day is observed annually on June 23 to recognise women in the discipline of engineering. It focuses on increasing the visibility of women who are transforming the engineering profession one degree at a time. It has been acknowledged by UNESCO and is an appropriate tribute to the Women’s Engineering Society (WES), which was founded on June 23, 1919.

The background of Women in Engineering Day

International Women in Engineering Day is observed worldwide to bring attention to the women pursuing engineering and transforming the world through their extraordinary accomplishments. Before the term ‘engineer’ was coined in the 11th century, women have played a crucial role as designers and builders of critical structures and machinery for centuries. However, disciplines like engineering have largely been closed to women. Prior to the early 1800s, the majority of universities did not admit women upon their establishment. Even so, admissions continued to be restricted to traditionally ‘female’ disciplines.

However, this has never prevented women from entering the engineering industry. Elizabeth Bragg, unhindered by gender disparities and discrimination, became the first woman to earn an engineering degree in 1876 when she earned a bachelor’s in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, paving the way for thousands of women in the 19th century. In addition, we must not forget that Ada Lovelace collaborated with Charles Babbage to design the world’s first computer programme.

Not until the Second World War did women’s education in technical disciplines receive serious consideration. Faced with the reality of a dearth of technical labour, major actors in the industry launched intensive on-the-job training programmes. Even in the twenty-first century, males continue to dominate STEM fields. Due to the severe gender disparity and discrimination in hiring, women continue to face obstacles in this field. In the future, however, if women are passionate and determined, they may be able to close this disparity and obtain high-paying engineering jobs like men.

5 STUNNING FACTS THAT DEMONSTRATE THE Gender Gap in STEM

The gender gap is particularly pronounced in computer science and engineering, two of the fastest-growing and highest-paying fields.

Men in STEM earn $15,000 more than women in these fields.

72% of the STEM workforce is male.

Girls outperform boys in mathematics, yet they comprise only 21% of engineering students.

As early as preschool, teachers and parents frequently underestimate girls’ math skills because STEM fields are typically regarded as masculine.

WOMEN IN ENGINEERING DAY DATES