Why we need women in science

Written by Zahrah Khan

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Considering how February 11th, 2022, was International Women in Science Day, I think it is essential that we take a step back and analyze the importance of women in science. Although the science field is enormous and includes many different careers, it is highly male-dominated. This doesn't mean there are no women; it just means there is less compared to men. There are many reasons why this is; however, the main focus of this blog post is to analyze why we need more women in this field. For one, with more women in this field, we as a society can reach our highest potential and slowly begin to mend the gender disparities in science-related careers. We need women in science because this diversity can bring fourth newer perspectives and ideas to both research and career prospects that society may not be considered from a man's point of view. For example, if there was a study on how exercise affects a person's metabolic rate, in no way would a man be able to account for the results of a woman. It is ideas as such that can help with advancements and newer technology in this field.

Moreover, we need women in science for representation, specifically as role models for younger girls. As mentioned before, considering how most science-related fields are male-dominated, there aren't many women younger girls can look up to for encouragement, hope or guidance. Furthermore, considering how people tend to go for things they are comfortable with or know they can succeed in, it is essential to have more women in science to show the youth that it is possible and achievable. Not only will this encourage younger girls to pursue a career in science, but it will also help build a sense of community and will open up more opportunities for them.

• References

  1. Why We Need More Women in STEM. (2019, May 6). Built by Me ® - STEM Learning. https://www.builtbyme.com/why-we-need-more-women-in-stem/#:~:text=We%20need%20more%20women%20in%20STEM%20not%20only