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2017/SOM2/PPWE/WKSP/003

APEC Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: An Overview of the Framework

and Regional Trends

Submitted by: United States

APEC Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: Building a Pipeline for Girls and Women - Coding the Way to Success

Ha Noi, Viet Nam 14-15 May 2017

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A joint project of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of State, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

APEC Women in STEM:A Framework for Understanding and Opportunity

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What have we learned? Where are we going? Agenda for Discussion

1. Background2. The Women in STEM Framework3. Representative examples and

opportunities4. Recommendations

1. BackgroundFrom Benchmarks to Reforms

The Five PPWE Priorities:• Access to Capital and Assets• Access to Markets• Skills, Capacity-Building, and

Health• Leadership, Voice, and Agency• Innovation and Technology

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“Innovation and Technology”The Women and the Economy Dashboard benchmarks and tracks changes in conditions impacting women across APEC

Five sets of indicators:1. Mobile technology2. Internet use3. “Networked readiness”4. Women in STEM5. “Green” awareness and activity

Indicators of inclusiveness and progressA glance at the Dashboard (Innovation and Technology)

Factor Source Indicators

Mobile Technology

International Tele-communications Union

a. Percentage of population who are mobile telephone users (by sex, where possible)

b. Percentage of total population covered by a mobile network signal

Internet Use International Tele-communications Union

Percentage of population who are Internet users (by sex, where possible)

“Networked Readiness”

World Economic Forum, Networked Readiness Index

Economy’s scores on following survey queries:

a. Affordability: mobile cellular tariffs (average per-minute costs of different types of mobile cellular calls)b. Government online service index (quality of government’s delivery of online services)c. Impact of ICT on access to basic services (access of all citizens basic online services—health, education, financial) d. Use of virtual social media networks (how widely used)

Women in STEM

UNESCO Institute for Statistics, Science, Technology, and Innovation

a. Percentage of female graduates graduating from Science programs among all tertiary education science graduates.

b. Percentage of female graduates graduating from Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction among all Engineering, Manufacturing and Construction tertiary-education graduates.

c. Percentage of women researchers

d. Percentage of women R&D personnel

“Green” Awareness and Activity

Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, et al. Environmental Performance Index

Economy’s score for environmental issues of particular interest to women in two broad policy areas: (a) protection of human health from environmental harm; and (b) protection of ecosystems, namely:

a. Household air qualityb. Exposure to air pollutionc. Wastewater treatmentd. Pesticide regulatione. Fish stocks

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Why is Women in STEM a priority?

“Without meaningful participation of women, STEM innovations that are crucial to economic growth – such as medical research, product development, and advances in engineering – are unlikely to reach their full potential, because they lack the insights and experience that women bring to the challenge.” APEC Women in STEM, p.8.

The APEC Women in STEM StudyIn 2016, governments, companies, and organizations from 15 APEC economies participated in survey of conditions for women in STEM

What are your economy’s (or firm’s) top priorities with respect to women and STEM?

Among your areas of intervention, what are the most promising practices?

What can APEC economies learn from one another, and how can they accelerate progress?

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2. The Women in STEM Framework

Encompassing all conditions:Enabling Environment

Culture

Diversity of experiences

History and awareness

Encouragement and inclusion

Law and regulations

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Establishing conditions for inclusion and growth:Education

Early and Primary School

Secondary Education and TVET

Higher Education

Lifelong Learning

Progressing through a career in STEM:Employment

Certification and

Preparedness

Recruitment

Retention

Leadership and

Advancement

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Setting a new path and creating jobs:Entrepreneurship

Knowledge and skills

Access to Capital

Access to Markets

Changes in policyEfforts to change culture through media and public outreach

Adjustments of curriculaSTEM immersion and mentoring

“Gender blind” recruitment and peer review Assistance to women re-entering workforce

Business incubatorsand entrepreneurship skills programs

for womenPrivate networks as resources for

markets and capital

3. Examples and Opportunities

Enabling Environment

Entrepreneurship Employment

Education

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4. Recommendations

1. Reform legal & regulatory constraints2. Create a model for re-introducing women into

contemporary understandings 3. Revisit the foundations in STEM Education4. Establish and strengthen opportunities for

collaboration5. Collect the data and respond to the numbers

accordingly6. Continue to provide a platform for women

leadership to be heard and have an active role7. Be more inclusive and less reclusive

Questions?