IMF urges gender balance in science, tech

The International Monetary Fund has urged policymakers worldwide to address the gender disparity in science and technology education, warning that the gap poses a significant barrier to inclusivity and progress in green job sectors.

In a blog post shared on Saturday via its official X account, the IMF highlighted the under-representation of women in these critical fields.

“The gender gap in STEM education is one of the biggest barriers to women getting green jobs. These skills are essential for engineering, renewable energy, and technology sectors that drive innovation. But women remain under-represented in STEM fields despite making significant progress in higher education,” the IMF stated.

According to the organisation, less than a third of STEM graduates in many countries are women, leaving them at a disadvantage for roles in the green economy.

“Without targeted efforts to increase such participation, the green transition may worsen workforce gender inequality,” the blog post warned.

The IMF emphasised that the gender gap in science and technology has far-reaching economic and environmental consequences. It noted that countries with more STEM-educated workers and robust gender equality policies show steeper reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

“Emissions intensity in these countries is 2 to 4 percentage points lower,” the IMF reported, citing its research.

To bridge the gap, the IMF called for comprehensive reforms, including early exposure to STEM subjects, mentorship programmes, and public-private partnerships.

“Policymakers should lower these barriers by giving women incentives for STEM education and ensuring equal access to green jobs, it urged.

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