Good afternoon. Welcome, Minister.
I have a proposal. There is a large gap between employment in the genders in certain fields. Some fields that are particularly male-dominated include mathematics, engineering, the sciences, and skilled trades. While there have been many studies attempting to deduce why women take jobs in different fields, there has been no serious study on the interests of these women versus the realities they experience, both in the workforce and in academic settings, that may dissuade them from pursuing further studies and professions.
Academic environments and social circles, particularly in the fields mentioned above, still present challenges for and biases against women. The old boys' club, so to speak, is still alive and well in many of these disciplines. Engineering in particular, and the academic culture that promotes it, has been known to be hostile toward female students. The harassment they feel has visibly pushed females from pursuing their dreams in that profession. University culture can often be more intimidating than the professional realm for any teenagers or young adults who are still not as confident and secure as they would be in years to come, and would not be prepared or willing to face such adversity.
To what extent is university culture in typically male-dominated disciplines hindering women from attaining careers in the professions that interest them?