Tech: Why Belgium struggles to attract women compared to other countries
Belgium is facing a major challenge in the technology sector. As the country seeks to meet its need for skilled labor, figures show that the representation of women in engineering and mathematics professions remains insufficient.
On a global scale, some countries show much more impressive results. For example, Morocco stands out as one of the world leaders in this regard, ranking second for the number of female engineers. In that country, the rate of graduates in science and technology fields reaches record highs, far exceeding the statistics observed in Belgium.
This difference can be explained by several cultural and educational factors. In countries like Morocco or certain Asian nations, scientific careers are often perceived as a prime path to social success, encouraging more young women to pursue these fields starting at university.
In Belgium, despite initiatives to encourage girls to choose STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) studies, progress remains slow. Experts point out that gender stereotypes still persist in the Belgian school system, which dampens students' interest in these technical sectors.
To remain competitive in the international market, Belgium will likely need to rethink its guidance strategy. Inspiring young women and further promoting technological careers from an early age seems to be an essential step to narrow this gap with leading countries.