Building a better tomorrow: Why women in STEM matter

Women have long been at the forefront of major STEM breakthroughs, from Marie Curie’s pioneering research in radioactivity to Monique Frize’s advances in medical devices for critical care. Yet, despite this progress, women remain significantly underrepresented in engineering and technology — a gap that limits innovation and economic growth. Empowering more women to pursue STEM careers is essential for driving technological advances, creating inclusive workplaces and inspiring future generations.

Diversity in STEM fields leads to more creative problem-solving and innovation. Women bring unique perspectives and insights that contribute to technological developments and create solutions that better serve a diverse population. Research shows that teams with greater gender diversity tend to perform better, generate more innovative ideas and create products that are more inclusive of all users.

For example, when mechanical engineering professor Catherine Mavriplis held the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering from 2011 to 2021, she supported a Women’s Startup Network at the Faculty of Engineering, which led to an influx of entrepreneurial ideas that addressed specific health issues primarily affecting women. One student, Jennifer Vo, launched kVibe, a device that helps users with incontinence due to pelvic floor issues.

Another student, Samantha Lowe, is currently researching how anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injuries presents themselves in female athletes, and why these types of injuries seem to be more prevalent in girls than boys. Samantha says that it was her passion for women's figure skating that sparked a broader interest in researching athletic performance and injury prevention.  As a biomedical-mechanical engineering student, she says that “every woman who enters this field helps pave the way for others. The gender imbalance and discrimination won’t change unless we actively work to break the cycle”.

A more inclusive STEM workforce also promotes a healthier work environment. Because women in STEM often face barriers like gender stereotypes, a lack of mentorship and limited access to opportunities and resources, increasing female representation would help dismantle these obstacles. More diversity in STEM teams can also create a more equitable professional landscape for everyone. “Research shows not only women benefit from a more diverse workforce. Men also report better work experiences in gender-diverse environments, citing better work and home relationships and the ability to speak more freely about difficult situations, leading to better problem solving, increased productivity and better work life balance,” says professor Mavriplis.

Additionally, better representation in STEM fields provides more role models for young girls. When they see female scientists, engineers and technologists excelling, they’re more likely to envision themselves pursuing similar paths. Role models help break down stereotypes and encourage girls to explore STEM fields with confidence. This increased participation creates a virtuous cycle—more women in STEM today means even more young girls interested in these careers in the future, leading to a more diverse and innovative future for everyone.

This is why the Engineering Outreach Office at the University of Ottawa regularly organizes events and activities to engage young girls in STEM fields from an early age and to connect them with role-models. “Young girls need to see women in these roles to imagine themselves as future engineers. Representation matters—because when they see women succeed in STEM, they can believe it and they are inspired to follow in their footsteps" says Julie Olivier, manager of the Engineering Outreach Office. As an engineer herself, she adds that "having more women in engineering isn’t just about diversity—it’s about innovation, problem-solving, and building a better future for everyone. When women bring their perspectives to the table, we create smarter, more inclusive solutions”.

Women have already made remarkable contributions that have changed the world, and their continued presence in these fields will drive even greater advances. Encouraging more women to pursue STEM careers benefits everyone, leading to a stronger, more diverse and more innovative future.