Beijing+30 Youth Blog: Let's close the gender gap by empowering women to thrive in any profession
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Anja Nikolovska, an 18-year-old high school student from Delchevo, North Macedonia, passionate about STEM and volunteering at the Red Cross. Photo: Personal archive
Despite decades of progress toward workplace equality, significant gender gaps persist across different professions worldwide. As I delved into the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, one statement resonated with me: “Girls are often deprived of basic education in mathematics and science and technical training, which provide knowledge they could apply to improve their daily lives and enhance their employment opportunities.” This highlights a stark reality - not only is there an overall employment gap between men and women, but also deep gender disparities also exists within specific professions and career paths. By encouraging women to pursue education and break free from gender roles and stereotypes, they can achieve their career aspirations.
According to the International Labor Organization, women have historically struggled more than men to secure employment, with over 24.9% of women facing job difficulties compared to 16% of men - particularly in developing and low-income countries. This disparity is not due to a lack of available jobs but rather societal perceptions that view women primarily as caregivers of their families and homes. These biases limit their opportunities and contribute to the persistent wage gap, discouraging many from pursuing their desired careers.
Gender disparities are especially evident in certain professions, such as education. According to UNESCO, women make up 68% of the global teaching workforce, and their numbers continue to rise - a trend driven by long-standing gender stereotypes that categorize education as a “female profession.”
Meanwhile, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers remain heavily male-dominated, with limited support and encouragement for women in these fields. From an early age, boys are encouraged to play with cars, robots, and rockets, while girls are steered towards dolls and domestic play – reinforcing the notion that STEM is “for men.”
I personally experienced this bias. Until I received a book about women scientists at age 10, I had never learned about women who have made breakthroughs in science and technology. In school, we mostly discussed male scientists and their discoveries. This experience inspired me to become an advocate for young women in STEM, as I am determined to pursue a career in this field myself.
Addressing the gender gap is crucial, and there are various ways to tackle this issue globally. It is essential that abilities and interests are not assigned based on gender and that equal employment opportunities are accessible to all. By providing better education and career information - especially in developing countries - we can ensure that women are given the same consideration as men in the workforce. Additionally, addressing gender imbalances in traditionally female-dominated professions requires educating men and encouraging them to pursue careers of their choice through informative sessions and training.
Schools also play a key role in closing the gender gap. They must provide students with resources and curricula that offer equal opportunities for boys and girls, encouraging them to explore their interests without being limited by gender stereotypes. Teachers, in particular, have the power to support and inspire all students - especially girls - to pursue their career aspirations freely. By breaking down these barriers and providing equal support and encouragement, we can work towards a more balanced and equitable workforce across all sectors.
Anja Nikolovska. Photo: Personal archive
Biography: Anja Nikolovska is an 18-year-old high school student from Delchevo, North Macedonia. Passionate about STEM, she also volunteers at her local Red Cross and expresses her creativity through art and painting.
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This blog post is part of the Beijing+30 “Speak Youth to Power” series, and the opinions and views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of UN Women, the United Nations, or its Member States.