Iranian women are making significant strides in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). A recent study reveals a substantial increase in their participation in higher education, research, and innovation.
A recent study conducted by the Deputy Vice Presidency for Science and Technology of Iran has revealed a notable increase in the participation of women in the country’s scientific and technological landscape. Key findings include:
- Higher Education: Women account for 31% of all faculty members in Iranian universities. The fields of medicine, health, and education have seen the highest representation of women faculty.
- Research and Innovation: Women constitute 25% of the top talents supported by the National Elites Foundation, demonstrating their significant contributions to research and innovation.
- Startup Ecosystem: Nineteen percent of board members in Iranian knowledge-based companies are women. This indicates a growing presence of women in the entrepreneurial sector.
The study further breaks down the data by province, revealing that while Tehran has the highest number of women involved in STEM, even in less populated regions, women are actively contributing to scientific advancements.
Factors driving this trend include:
- Government initiatives: The Iranian government has implemented various policies to encourage women’s participation in higher education and research.
- Cultural shifts: Changing societal attitudes towards women’s roles have led to more opportunities for women to pursue STEM careers.
- Global trends: Iran’s progress aligns with global trends of increasing women’s participation in STEM fields.
These findings underscore the significant strides that Iranian women have made in science and technology. As the country continues to invest in education and research, we can expect to see even greater achievements from women in the years to come.
Additional details:
- Women on boards of directors: 19% of members of boards of directors of knowledge-based companies are women.
- Women in startups: 3,107 women are working in startups, 743 in innovative companies, and 281 in technology companies.
- Women supported by the National Elites Foundation: 62,500 people are supported by the foundation, of which 25% are women.
- Women in Olympiads: 1,355 women have participated in student Olympiads, 347 in university Olympiads.
- Women awarded for excellence: 109 women have been recognized as top graduates in education, research, and innovation, 39 have registered inventions, 162 have been exemplary students, and 534 have received awards.
These numbers clearly demonstrate the growing presence of women in Iran’s scientific and technological landscape.