PANEL | Powering Europe's digital and green future. How do we stop losing women's talent from classroom to career?
Even before reaching the glass ceiling, women too often find themselves walled off from entire careers and industries.
At the EIGE Gender Equality Forum at 14.00 CET on 17 November, a panel of experts will explore why this happens and what can be done to keep more women in digital and green jobs.
When engineering and computing are seen as “men’s work”, a large portion of Europe’s talent pool is excluded from exploring roles at the cutting edge of the digital and green transitions.
Stereotypes about who belongs in tech jobs can shape the subjects that schoolgirls choose and the careers women pursue.
And getting a first job is only part of the story. Many women continue to face challenges in balancing work and care responsibilities throughout their careers, which can limit opportunities for skills development, career progression and advancement.
Our research shows that closing gender gaps in STEM could create up to 1.2 million additional quality jobs by 2050, and raise EU GDP per capita by as much as 3%.
Who develops our future tech matters, too.
Having too few women designing and testing systems increases the risk that existing biases go unchallenged and inequalities become built in.
As was previously said in an interview with Irish media, Image.ie, “In AI, diversity is not just an option, it's a necessity,” says Dr Alessandra Sala, of UNESCO Women for Ethical AI.
This panel follows the journey from classroom to workplace, and back again. It brings together public policy, lifelong learning, business and AI expertise.
We will ask what holds girls and women back, and what Europe’s future progress in the green and digital economies misses out on when their skills and ideas are absent.
In a sector that is crying out for talent, creating more opportunities for women makes absolute sense.
Speakers will explore what interventions work, from earlier inclusive interventions at school and lifelong learning to improving workplace culture and working with employers.
They’ll share best practice and examples from the Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) sector, where women are under-represented.
Speakers include:
- Irene Riobóo Lestón, Gender Equality Research Officer, EIGE, providing a scene setter with the Agency’s evidence.
- Stefan Olsson, Deputy Director-General for Jobs, Skills and Social Policies, European Commission
- Dr Alessandra Sala, Board Member, AI Office of Ireland
- Gunnar Wik, Managing Director, Siemens Energy Sweden
- Sylvia Liuti, Vice President Projects and Partnerships, EfVET - European Forum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training
In a rapidly changing world, the EU cannot afford to keep ignoring its talent. When schools, employers and governments act together, the trend can change.
Join the panel at the EIGE Gender Equality Forum to explore how the EU can keep more women's talent in the digital and green economy. The Forum is hybrid.
