Gender parity among researchers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics

Abstract

This study compares women's disparity in science over a period of 5 years (2013–2017) in eight continental regions of the world using synthesised data from a UNESCO scientific report with a desktop literature review and deductive inference from statistical analysis. The different descriptive measures, such as mean percentages, correlations, multifactor analysis (MFA), and non-linear regression, identify the trend, change points, factors, and best-fit exponential time series for decision-making. We determined that each continent follows the same exponential smoothing trend, with a correlation coefficient of 0.67, over the years of study and that the year of study exhibits a different exponential trend that varies over the different continental regions' counterparts. The study also highlights gender bias, family life, mentoring, and stereotypes as significant factors contributing to the relationship between science and gender parity. Therefore, this study advocates policy implementation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to ensure women's representation in scientific research.