Tech: Why Belgium is lagging behind in the feminization of professions
While the technology sector is booming in Belgium, an important question arises: why are there still so few women in digital professions? According to recent data, certain countries like Morocco or several Asian nations show much better results than ours in terms of gender parity.
In these countries, the rate of women graduating in engineering, mathematics, and technology sometimes reaches 65%. By comparison, Belgium struggles to attract female students to these technical fields. This finding is surprising, as Morocco now ranks among the world leaders for the number of female engineers, far ahead of many European countries.
Several experts explain this gap through cultural and educational differences. In some emerging countries, engineering professions are perceived as highly valued paths for social advancement for women. In Belgium, on the contrary, stereotypes still persist in secondary schools, where girls are less encouraged to pursue science and technology.
Faced with this situation, the Belgian technology sector is confronting a major challenge. The lack of diversity limits innovation, and companies are struggling to find the talent needed to meet market demand. To remain competitive, Belgium will likely need to rethink its school guidance methods and further encourage young girls to embrace careers in the digital sector.