Female engineers and scientists, growing numbers in European countries

Yet even in the world of scientific research there is no shortage of examples from both past and present. Taking a positive view of the data, even though she points out that 'there is still a lot of work to be done', is Eleonora Cocco, director of the Regional Centre for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis at the Binaghi Hospital in Cagliari and university lecturer. A centre directed, today but also in the past, by women. 'The fact of having female examples is undoubtedly positive, we had a great teacher,' she says. 'The fact of having reference points is very nice and also important for girls who decide to do research.

It is a sign of a change that erases the commonplace of scientific research being confined to males and makes those in a role feel authorised to do so without having to feel uncomfortable. 'It can be said that the stigma is increasingly being knocked down, of course there is work to be done,' she adds. 'It is clear that something is changing. This 'different' vision that sees women in charge can only encourage that path towards equality'. An important but not definitive step because 'we still need gender policies and we need to work to break down stereotypes'.

That there is still some way to go is also emphasised by the Rector of the Sapienza University of Rome Antonella Polimeni. "Despite the progress made in recent years, the gender gap in STEM remains significant and widespread throughout the country, without marked differences between areas but with low levels overall. This indicates that the problem is structural and not confined to specific local realities,' she says. 'What still has an impact is the weight of deep-rooted cultural factors: gender stereotypes and prejudices discourage girls in particular from embarking on STEM courses, which are instead often perceived as more suitable for boys. This fuels a gap that builds in the early years of schooling and consolidates over time'. A way for this figure to grow, according to the rector, there may be, but 'provided that action is taken in a continuous and systemic manner. School and university, as educating communities, must have a decisive impact by strengthening orientation already in the early years of training and accompanying students towards more conscious choices free from conditioning'.

Lithuania is one of the most advanced cases in Europe for female participation in STEM: women make up around 63 per cent of the total workforce in the sector and over 52 per cent among scientists and engineers, well above the EU average.

In the technology sector, although with a more limited presence (around 27%), there is a growing inclusiveness and a strong female presence in leadership roles. Among the best known figures are Milda Mitkutė (co-founder of Vinted), Simona Andrijauskaitė and Dalia Lašaitė.

Decisive was the 'Women Go Tech' programme, which since 2017 has accompanied some 800 women towards ICT careers, working not only on skills but also on confidence and networking. In parallel, the country is investing in life sciences, a sector set to grow to 5% of GDP by 2030.

According to the report 'She Figures 2024', Lithuania is second in the EU in terms of female participation in research and innovation. However, there remains a gap in some technical areas and research funding, which is why a Gender Equality Plan 2026-2029 was adopted.

In Spain, women represent 50.5% of personnel in public research, but only 31.2% in the private sector, with an overall average of 39.6%. The female presence also exceeds 50% in doctorates, but remains lower in engineering and architecture.

The improvement is also linked to regulatory interventions, such as Law 17/2022 imposing gender balance in evaluation bodies, and to institutional programmes such as the Women, Science and Innovation Observatory and 'Women in Innovation'.

However, structural obstacles persist: difficulties in reconciling work and private life, less employment stability in industrial sectors and barriers to career advancement.

In Austria, the presence of women in STEM has grown steadily: today, women account for around 39% of students and graduates in science disciplines, with a significant increase in the last decade, especially in universities of applied sciences.

However, a strong labour market segregation persists: women are concentrated in the social and education sectors, while in industry their share remains around a quarter. Only 31% of female STEM graduates actually work in STEM fields, compared to 60% of men.

Among the most critical issues are difficult working conditions, poor career opportunities and non-inclusive environments. Policies such as the 'LEA - Let's Empower Austria' fund aim to counter stereotypes and promote women's access to scientific careers.

Women in Albania also remain underrepresented in the ICT and engineering sectors, with a male dominance among students and workers.

According to experts in the field, the main barriers are related to deep-rooted cultural stereotypes and the lack of female role models. Initiatives such as the Network of Albanian Women in STEM seek to counter these factors, but it remains crucial to translate national strategies into concrete measures.

The gap is also reflected in terms of pay, with a significant wage gap between men and women in high-skilled sectors.

*This article is part of the European collaborative journalism project "Pulse" and was contributed by Justė Ancevičiūtė (Delfi, Lithuania); Ana Somavilla (El Confidencial, Spain); Natascha Ickert (Der Standard, Austria); Tornike Kakalashvili (OBCT, Albania)