Bringing All Talent into Play – More Women in Science

Launch of Science Girls – a club for girls between 13-19 years and with a shared passion for STEM.

Denmark has historically been at the forefront of promoting gender equality. Compulsory primary school education for both boys and girls, universal female suffrage, and paid parental leave were all achievements to which Denmark made important contributions. We pride ourselves on high female labor participation rates and educational attainment. However, there is still work to be done.

The global economy is transforming rapidly.   Accelerating technological change, the imperatives of digitization and automation, and the vital role of start-ups in driving employment and growth place new demands on companies and countries. True differentiation hinges on talent and thought leadership, and no talent pool should remain untapped. Leveling the playing field for women can thus contribute to leveling the playing field for Danish companies versus global competition.

Danish talent fundamentals are strong. Women already comprise more than half of university graduates, and their performance is on par or better than men across disciplines. However, women continue to be underrepresented not only in leadership positions but also in areas that increasingly shape society. The representation of both men and women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) is paramount to developing inclusive technological solutions that do not perpetuate bias but create equal opportunities for all. Moreover, STEM companies are important drivers of economic growth through high productivity, innovation, and export intensity.

With “Science Girls” we hope to inspire and motivate the participants to follow their interest within STEM.

The project is supported by Tuborgfondet, Danske Bank and Sydbank.

For further reading: gender-diversity-in-denmark.pdf (innovationsfonden.dk)