Jurnal Administrasi Publik (Public Administration Journa.
, 15 .
2015 ISSN 2088-527X (Prin.
ISSN 2548-7787 (Onlin.
DOI: 10.
31289/jap.
Jurnal Administrasi Publik (Public Administration Journa.
Available online http://ojs.
id/index.
php/jap Women's Engagement in STEM Fields in Bangladesh:
Trends.
Obstacles, and Strategies Nishat Tabassum Department of Public Administration.
Pabna University of Science and Technology Pabna.
Bangladesh.
Received: April 27, 2025.
Reviewed: June 8, 2025.
Accepted: June 30, 2025 *Corresponding Email: nishat@pust.
Abstrak The involvement of women in the Science.
Technology.
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields in Bangladesh raises significant concerns, particularly in light of the country's remarkable advancements in education and economic development.
The female population constitutes half of Bangladesh's demographic, making their increased participation in the STEM fields not just essential but a necessity for addressing labor market needs and preventing talent shortages.
The involvement of women in the STEM field fosters social justice by providing them with opportunities for high-paying and stable careers, thereby diminishing gender disparities in both education and employment.
This article aims to examine the current trends and obstacles affecting women's participation in the STEM field in Bangladesh, as well as to identify potential strategic interventions that could be implemented to address these issues.
This article is based on secondary sources.
Despite significant progress in women's rights and representation across various sectors, the participation of women in STEM fields continues to be alarmingly low, with only about 14% of women engaged in these areas.
This article identifies several barriers faced by women in the STEM field in Bangladesh, including societal and cultural obstacles, a scarcity of female role models and mentors, the absence of gender-inclusive policies, and a hostile work environment, among others.
This article proposes that there is a need to enhance the enrollment of women in STEM disciplines.
Educational institutions must proactively engage in initiatives that foster STEM education, specifically for girls.
Organizations must establish a supportive work environment to ensure the retention of female Keywords: Women.
STEM.
Bangladesh.
Mentorship Programs.
Societal Norms How to Cite: Tabassum.
Women's Engagement in STEM Fields in Bangladesh: An Evaluation of Current Trends.
Obstacles, and Strategic Interventions.
Jurnal Administrasi Publik (Public Administration Journa.
: 165-170
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.
0 International License Nishat Tabassum.
Women's Engagement in STEM Fields in Bangladesh: An Evaluation of Current Trends.
Obstacles, and Strategic Interventions INTRODUCTION In the contemporary global landscape, fields within STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematic.
are viewed as pivotal drivers for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
It is a matter of urgent concern that women and girls face disparities in opportunities for achievement in STEM disciplines.
Women hold a notably small proportion of positions in STEM fields, comprising less than onethird of the existing STEM workforce.
The figure highlights the persistent challenges that women face in these traditionally male-dominated fields.
Women comprise approximately 35% of all STEM graduates globally, a figure that has remained relatively unchanged over the past decade (Montoya, 2.
significant leaky pipeline is evident in STEM fields, particularly apparent at the point of graduation and the transition to professional roles.
This phenomenon highlights the tendency of women to step back from careers in STEM at various underrepresentation in these fields.
The selection of a STEM major is a significant factor, accounting for approximately 56% of the gender gap in STEM participation.
Data indicates that a higher proportion of men opt for STEM majors compared to women, with 61.
2% of initial STEM majors being male, exceeding the expected rate based on enrollment and preparedness (Speer, 2.
Women in STEM majors face challenges that lead to decreased retention The transition from academia to professional life also reveals disparities.
Among STEM graduates, men exhibit a significantly greater propensity to pursue STEM employment, with only 20% of women holding STEM degrees engaged in STEM careers, compared to 41% of men (Speer, 2.
Currently, approximately 35% of the STEM workforce despite accounting for over half of the total labor force (Staff, 2.
Societal standards and cultural norms often discourage women from pursuing careers in STEM For instance, the perception that STEM professions are predominantly maledominated can deter women from seeking or persisting in these disciplines, affecting their graduation rates and career The absence of parental understanding of STEM opportunities for their girls may restrict encouragement and When parents fail to advocate for STEM education, girls may forgo these disciplines, resulting in a gender disparity in graduation and employment prospects (Ara, 2021.
Martynez et al.
, 2.
Women in technological job positions are resigning at unacceptably high rates.
This suggests that even when women do enter STEM careers, they may face challenges that lead them to leave these positions, further contributing to the gender gap in the field (Botella et al.
, 2.
Despite the advancements women in Bangladesh have made in education and employment, their involvement in STEM underrepresented in the country.
This paper aims to demonstrate the status of women in the STEM field in Bangladesh.
Furthermore, it examines the obstacles encountered by women in this domain and the strategies that can be carried out to enhance their involvement.
This paper is based on secondary literature, including journal articles, newspapers, and websites.
RESEARCH METHODS
This study employs a secondary research methodology involving the systematic collection, review, and interpretation of existing data and literature on women's involvement in STEM fields in Bangladesh.
The methodology is meticulously crafted to integrate insights from a range of credible pinpoint obstacles, and investigate strategies that could bolster women's Jurnal Administrasi Publik (Public Administration Journa.
, 15.
June 2025: 165-170 engagement in STEM fields.
The data for this study were meticulously gathered from a variety of sources, including academic journal articles, newspapers, reports, and The potential impact of this research on policy-making and strategic planning in the field of gender equality and STEM education is significant, making the relevance of this study undeniable.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Status of Bangladeshi Women in STEM Education and Career Within the STEM sector in Bangladesh, there is a phenomenon known as the 'leaky pipeline.
' This refers to the gradual decline of women's participation at various levels of education and career advancement within the fields of Science.
Technology.
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
It is undeniable that women make up approximately fifty percent of the available talent pool.
The statistic indicating that merely 21% of graduates in STEM fields are female raises significant The percentage significantly decreases in higher education and essential disciplines such as engineering, with only 5% of female students choosing to pursue this field.
This phenomenon underscores the significant loss of female potential attributable to various barriers that impede progress (LightCastle Analytics Wings.
It is a matter of concern that Bangladesh demonstrates a notably low level of female involvement in STEM fields on a global scale.
Despite progress in the participation of women in general education, their involvement in STEM fields remains limited.
This significant gender gap underscores the challenges women face in pursuing education in STEM fields (Islam & Jirattikorn, 2023.
Rahman, 2.
The disparity in enrollment and retention rates between women and men in STEM programs raises significant concerns.
A variety of factors contribute to the underrepresentation of women in STEM education and their subsequent departure from these programs.
In Bangladesh, traditional gender roles often prioritize women's roles in the home and family, overshadowing their educational and This expectation may discourage women from pursuing careers in STEM fields, which are often perceived as demanding and timeconsuming (Christie et al.
, 2.
The World Bank's Bangladesh Country Gender Assessment 2021 reveals that women make up only 14% of the overall STEM workforce in Bangladesh (Hasib, 2.
A prevailing cultural belief exists that the STEM field is predominantly male, which deters girls from pursuing education in this area.
Cultural stereotypes often portray men as more adept in mathematics and engineering, perpetuating the idea that women are inherently less capable in these This can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where women adopt these beliefs and begin to doubt their abilities.
a result, there is a noticeable lack of interest in engaging with education in the STEM In Bangladeshi families, there is a discernible trend where parents tend to hold back from motivating their daughters to pursue education in STEM fields.
They discourage their daughters from pursuing STEM fields due to cultural beliefs that consider these areas unsuitable for girls.
Statements like "It's not the best place for a female" illustrate the internalized biases that can hinder girls' ambitions.
Studies indicate that girls generally exhibit a higher pass rate in general education.
their enrollment in science and engineering disciplines at the university level remains substantially inadequate, with only 8.
in science departments and 1.
46% in engineering (Sultana, 2.
The lack of women in STEM fields leads to a shortage of female role models for young girls.
The absence of mentors can lead to a deficit in inspiration and direction for women seeking to engage in STEM education Nishat Tabassum.
Women's Engagement in STEM Fields in Bangladesh: An Evaluation of Current Trends.
Obstacles, and Strategic Interventions (Kenneth, 2022.
Islam & Jirattikorn, 2023.
Rahman, 2.
In the face of various challenges, a significant number of women in Bangladesh complete their degrees in STEM disciplines.
Upon entering the workforce, women start to face workplace Women encounter biases in environments predominantly occupied by males, leading to sensations of isolation and a sense of inadequacy.
A significant number of women, for instance, express facing doubts regarding their abilities from male colleagues (Biswas, 2.
Women in STEM encounter substantial safety concerns, particularly during fieldwork or when working late in laboratories.
The lack of safety could deter women from pursuing or continuing careers in the sciences (Kanya & Tithi, 2.
Women in STEM industries frequently encounter biases in recruitment.
This form of discrimination can create an unwelcoming workplace, leading to lower job satisfaction and higher turnover rates for women in STEM fields.
The issue is intensified by a lack of female role models and mentors in the industry, which may further discourage women from pursuing long-term careers in these fields (Sangar, 2.
Overcoming Barriers To improve women's involvement in STEM careers, it is essential to first increase the enrollment of women in STEM Transforming societal and cultural attitudes is necessary to enhance women's participation in this domain.
Girls must not be led to believe during their childhood that STEM subjects are not meant for them.
It is essential to motivate opportunities within the STEM sector.
Therefore, they should engage in studies within the STEM fields, as they are likely to find it stimulating.
Society needs to recognize that STEM is not exclusively a male domain.
Educational institutions, such as schools, colleges, and universities, should actively participate in initiatives that promote STEM education for girls (LopezInesta et al.
, 2.
It is essential to implement initiatives that enhance awareness regarding the importance of STEM education for women.
This could include programs within educational settings and communities that aim to highlight successful female figures in STEM Encouraging young girls to engage in STEM fields from a young age has the potential to shift cultural viewpoints and inspire future generations.
It is essential to establish programs that connect female students with women currently working in STEM fields to provide guidance and Mentors play a crucial role in helping females navigate their educational and career paths, offering advice and support to overcome challenges in pursuing STEM education (Ara, 2021.
Racusin et al.
, 2021.
Sangar, 2.
Scholarships and financial support should be allocated solely to female students pursuing degrees in STEM fields.
This could alleviate the financial burden and encourage a rise in female participation in these programs (Dasgupta & Stout, 2014.
Racusin et al.
, 2021.
Santos et al.
, 2.
Organizations must adopt the necessary strategies to ensure the retention of female staff.
Implementing workplace practices that foster gender equality, such as flexible working hours, maternity leave, and anti-discrimination measures, is essential for retaining women in STEM Organizations need to prioritize creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace culture (Ahmed et al.
, 2020.
Vaka et al.
, 2.
Organizations should implement childcare provisions to support the retention of women in the workforce and address the "leaky pipeline phenomenon," where women leave STEM positions due to difficulties balancing work and life.
It is essential to promote networking opportunities for women in Jurnal Administrasi Publik (Public Administration Journa.
, 15.
June 2025: 165-170 STEM via conferences, workshops, and online platforms.
This enables women to build professional networks and gain access to industry support, which is crucial for advancing their careers (Kurmankulov et al.
, 2.
CONCLUSION
A gender stereotype persists in Bangladesh, suggesting that the STEM field is exclusively for males.
From a young age, many women develop a fear that pursuing studies in the STEM field may not be attainable for them.
They do not receive any support from their family.
Those pursuing studies in the STEM field may find it challenging to thrive due to the ongoing dominance of males in this domain.
Some coworkers hold a biased perspective, viewing women as less competent than Women must exert additional effort to establish their credibility in the STEM field.
The contributions of women are frequently disregarded, and they are often not assigned challenging tasks.
A significant number of women leave their jobs due to biases and the prevailing dominance of male attitudes.
Women's education and careers in the STEM field present substantial challenges.
A range of initiatives must be implemented in Bangladesh to increase women's enrollment in STEM education and foster a more supportive work environment where they can thrive.
This study elucidates the diverse challenges encountered by women in the realms of education and careers within the STEM sector in Bangladesh.
The major obstacles encompass entrenched societal gender biases, a scarcity of female role models, insufficient gender-sensitive policies, and a lack of opportunities for practical skill To tackle these challenges effectively, it is essential to implement coordinated strategies.
This includes reforming educational curricula to promote the participation of girls in STEM fields, fostering mentorship opportunities and establishing role models, implementing enhancing practical training programs to better equip women for careers in STEM.
Strengthening the role of women in STEM
fields goes beyond the issue of gender
it represents a crucial strategic necessity for Bangladesh's aspiration towards a knowledge-driven and inclusive Ongoing dedication from policymakers, educational institutions, industry, and civil society is essential to closing the gender gap and realizing the complete potential of women in STEM, which is vital for the nation's sustainable REFERENCES