Science, technology, engineering, math and digital education for girls and women — unleashing potential to open fields of possibility

 

The gender gap in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and digital education in low- and middle-income countries is alarming. Girls and women are significantly underrepresented in the STEM and digital fields at an estimated ratio of 2 to 5 compared to boys and men. A mix of factors explain why girls and women shy away from these fields, including negative gender stereotypes and practices both at home and in schools. Given the high earning potential for those possessing skills and competencies in these fields, the income gap between women and men is significant.

This project aims to create an inclusive and quality educational environment where girls participate in scientific fields to develop skills and compete with confidence with their male counterparts in Benin, the Comoros and Madagascar. In addition to equipping girls with psychosocial competencies to counter negative gender norms, this project seeks to sensitize teachers and school leaders, enhancing their pedagogical skills, and to develop training materials to implement gender-sensitive and equity-oriented approaches.

The project will adapt tested and promising educational practices and innovations; strengthen the skills of teachers and school managers in results-based management sensitive to inclusive education and gender equality; train curriculum experts in public and private secondary education via new or existing platforms to contextualize inclusive educational tools that are sensitive to gender equality; monitor the implementation and results of the package of practices and adjusted educational innovations; and build new or strengthen existing digital platforms to educate and train national decision-makers and civil society actors by facilitating the sharing and uptake of knowledge and strategies for advocacy for equitable, inclusive and quality education for girls in STEM and digital education.

This project is funded through the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange call for proposals: Knowledge and Innovation for Achieving Gender Equality and Social Inclusion at School.