Last week, I had the privilege of presenting at an event in Istanbul called “Investing for Gender Equality and Inclusive Climate Action.” hosted by the United Nations Development Programme and The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. It brought together over 180 people from more than 40 countries—policymakers, private sector leaders, civil society advocates—all of them focused on one urgent question: How can we ensure that women and girls are not left behind as we shift to greener economies?

As someone deeply involved in both the global conversation around STEM and gender equality, and the local efforts to get more girls in the Bay Area excited about science and technology, I was struck by how universal the challenges are. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, or California—girls are still being steered away from STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), especially girls from underserved communities. And that’s a problem, not just for them, but for all of us.

Think about this: The International Labour Organization projects that by 2030, 18 million new jobs will be created in green sectors—industries that will be important in the fight against climate change. But if we don’t act now, women—half the population—could miss out on these opportunities. In too many places, including the U.S., girls are still told (explicitly or implicitly) that STEM careers aren’t for them.

In the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), representation matters. For young girls, especially those from underrepresented communities, seeing women who look like them succeeding in STEM careers can be transformative. At Scientific Adventures for Girls (SAfG), we've witnessed firsthand the profound impact that role models can have on shaping the future of girls in STEM.

The Challenge

Despite recent trends and growing demand for diversity in STEM fields, women—especially women of color—remain alarmingly underrepresented in these lucrative careers. The statistics paint a stark picture:

• Women make up only about 25% of the workforce in computing and engineering.

• Latina, Black, and Indigenous women account for less than 10% of the STEM workforce.

• By fourth grade, one-third of girls have already lost interest in science.

These numbers underscore the urgent need for early intervention and positive role models in STEM education.

SAfG and Day of Giving!

Join SAfG on December 3rd for the Day of Giving, a special opportunity to make a difference in our community! We’re excited to announce our participation in this impactful event, where every contribution supports girls in STEM. Your donations will help empower young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Together, we can inspire the next generation of innovators! Stay tuned for more details on how you can get involved, including ways to donate and volunteer.