Recently listed among the most influential women in science in the Islamic world, Maryam Matar is only one example of the significant contributions Emirati women can make in the traditionally male-dominated field of science. In 2006, she established the UAE Genetic Diseases Association that became best known for its awareness campaign on thalassaemia. As she told The National in January, this would not have been possible without the support of the country's leadership and their investment in women.
Increasing numbers of Emirati women are choosing careers in what are known as Stem disciplines – science, technology, engineering and mathematics – with a new study by the Economist Intelligence Unit finding that more than 56 per cent of the country’s Stem graduates are women. Of the women surveyed, 85 per cent were Emirati and three quarters of them had enrolled in Stem courses.
These numbers should be consistent with the number of women actually working in these disciplines. Another study by management consulting firm Booz Allen said that in other nations, women joining these sectors boosted GDP. This illustrates how strategic the investment in women could potentially be and states the case for the UAE making more effort to integrate women into the workforce and ensuring they have the support they need to continue to work in Stem-related fields.
However, there is also a need to include everyone in these critical fields by investing in both genders from a young age. Stem education is critical and must start in school.
A 2012 study by Sohailah Makhmasi, studying for a masters in engineering student at Khalifa University, revealed that poor teaching and lack of English preparation in public schools played a major role in pushing many pupils away from science. According to the latest report by Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study in 2011, UAE students perform below the international average in maths and science and 60 per cent of boys lack skills in both disciplines. Improving these numbers should be a priority.
Stem-related fields are critical to the UAE’s future, leading to new creative industries and opening the door to technological innovation. Empowering women to work in these fields is important, but so is ensuring the men do not get left behind either.
