Despite increased female enrollment in STEM education, women's labor force participation in STEM fields remains low in the Arab world. This discrepancy is known as the "MENA paradox."
Societal factors and negative stereotypes discourage girls from pursuing STEM careers.
To encourage more women in STEM, it's essential to address these underlying issues.
A more diverse STEM workforce, including researchers and educators from underserved communities, can contribute significantly to societal progress.
Figures reveal that Jordanian women graduates in STEM subjects outnumber those in the United States and Europe, but one important issue remains: why don’t Jordanian women have the same opportunities to prosper in the work force?
Society is one of the most significant barriers to Jordanian women entering and remaining in the workforce. Social perception and prejudice influence which forms of employment are more appropriate for women or men. There is also the traditional notion of women’s reproductive roles or the division of labor at home and in raising a family.
The lack of strong and well-practiced anti-discrimination regulations is one of the most significant barriers to Jordanian women entering and remaining in the employed. The MENA area has one of the world’s greatest gender pay gaps, at approximately 40%, and wage discrimination against women in the private sector is one of the reasons why the public sector remains more desirable.
Most concerning are the findings of several research, which show that girls are frequently convinced that they are not intelligent enough for proficient science and technology sectors, that they are for “geniuses” (typically portrayed as strange-looking men), despite statistics.
MOSSAWAH’s main business centers on coaching, consultation and business development services. We mainly build local and regional mentoring capacity, strengthen entrepreneurs and their businesses, develop leadership pipelines as well as support a whole range of organizations, including business incubators, accelerators, NGOs, foundations, universities, governmental bodies, networks and corporate HR departments, who are looking to increase their talent and leadership pipeline
Full Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology, The Hashemite University in Jordan.
Associate Professor of Economics, The Hashemite University in Jordan
Science teacher at Galinos international school graduated from the Hashemite University.
Junior Software Engineer graduated from the Hashemite University
I cannot believe they are 15-"year-old girls! They are giving me hope for a better future!"
"I can't go back to school now that I've been to college! I wish I could stay with you. "
"I want to thank the parents for believing in their girls and trusting us."
"The project changed a lot of things for the better in me, now I have the courage to speak in front of people. Thank you. I will never forget you, nor will I forget the things you gave us."
In a world where the future is increasingly shaped by technology and innovation, empowering young minds with the skills to lead is no longer optional—it’s essential. That’s why Girls in STEM MENA is proud to Read more…
The TechGirls program for 2025 is now open for applications, offering an incredible opportunity for young women interested in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Aimed at inspiring the next generation of female leaders, this Read more…
