Today, 23 June, marks International Women in Engineering Day, however the underrepresentation of women in the South African science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) space remains a complex problem. Seugnet van den Berg, a founding partner at Bizmod, says that a variety of approaches and an investment in change is necessary from the industry if we are ever going to close the gender gap.
The benefits of a more balanced workforce are ample and include important bottom-line considerations as well as:
- Companies that employ female talent and utilise their competencies are 45% more likely to improve their market share and be more profitable.
- By focusing on gender equality and ensuring representation from women, organisations gain greater acceptance from stakeholders and communities.
- Female representation increases the likelihood of other women accepting employment at an organisation. It also aids in finding suitable female mentors and makes it easier for women to navigate the organisation.