Empowering Women in STEM: Viet Nam's Journey Towards Innovation and Equality

2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGS) (observed on February 11) and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, two significant milestones in the global effort to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. Recognising the importance of gender inclusivity, Viet Nam has taken major policy steps to empower female researchers and entrepreneurs. By investing in education, policy reforms, and celebrating the achievements of women scientists, the country is setting a global example for inclusive development.

- Dang Hoang Giang,

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women in STEM, highlighting a decade of progress in closing gender disparities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). While there have been significant global advancements, women remain under-represented in STEM, particularly in leadership roles and high-tech industries.

Despite making up 49.7 per cent of the global population, according to UNESCO, only 28 per cent of researchers worldwide are women, with even lower numbers in leadership positions and emerging sectors like AI and biotechnology. In Asia, the gender gap is even more pronounced. India, for example, reports that only 14 per cent of STEM academic positions are held by women, according to IWWAGE report

One key challenge is the "leaky pipeline" phenomenon, where women leave STEM careers at higher rates due to cultural biases, workplace inequities, and family responsibilities. This issue is not just about representation but also economic loss. According to the Asian Development Bank, gender gaps in STEM cost the Asia-Pacific region an estimated $42 billion annually, slowing economic growth and innovation. Furthermore, homogeneous teams in fields like biotechnology and pharmaceuticals risk overlooking solutions that address diverse populations, limiting breakthroughs in precision medicine and public health.

According to a McKinsey Global Institute report it is estimated that achieving gender parity in STEM could boost global GDP by $12 trillion by 2030, reinforcing the urgency of inclusive policies to increase women representation in STEM sectors, both in quantity and quality.