The World of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Needs More Manpower

Indonesia needs more women in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields.

Until now, although women make up almost half of all the world's population, the number of women working in the STEM world is only about 1%, compared to the male workforce.

"In Indonesia, and the figure is not up to 10%," said the Chairwoman of GE Women Network, Donna Priadi, during a discussion on the topic "Why Do We Need More Women in STEM", at the PT GE Nusantara Turbine Services Hall, Jalan Pajajaran, Bandung City. , Wednesday, January 8, 2020.

Donna explained that the ongoing gender inequality makes creativity in the STEM world less active.

This is really unfortunate, considering that in this borderless era, development and creativity are important things.

“When in the team there are several heads, who cheap plane tickets consists not only of male workers, but also of women, therefore some new ideas and creativity can be more explored, so that development can be more optimal,” said Donna.

The fields of technology and engineering have been severely affected by the lack of women's involvement, thus reducing the growth and share that these sectors could have had in the economy.

According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), there is a negative correlation between gender inequality in one country and the average standard of living in that country.

The OECD predicts that increasing the involvement of women in the workforce could increase GDP by 5-12% over the next fifteen years. In addition, because new technology requires new types of job skills, the effect of skills inequality is also widening.

Addressing gender inequality will create a more diverse workforce.

Research shows that diverse teams are better at problem solving and can think creatively.

stigma

The figure behind the Jabodetabek LRT Arch Bridge, Arvilla Delitriana, admitted that there is a lot of stigma that applies to Indonesian citizens about working women. There is the original from within ourselves, as well as from other people.

"First, we have to be optimistic about ourselves first, then turn a deaf ear to other people's negative comments," said Dina, as she is usually called, when she was one of the speakers.

Other people's negative talk, which is followed by feelings, can reduce capacity, to avoid goals or gains in a career.

Dina explained, based on her experience in supervising many engineers, female workers have many advantages that are difficult for men to match. However, all of them have their own advantages and disadvantages.

"This is what I see from the engineers who work in my office, female engineers are generally more patient, more detailed, and more respectful of the process," he said.

The discussion brought Syiki, the first female engineer at GE Aviation Indonesia.

Syiki explained that companies should be able to provide more gender elasticity, not gender equality.

"Woman empowerment does not mean that women have to be special, but that they are given equal opportunities," said Syiki.