Tech: Why Belgium struggles to attract women to engineering professions
While the technology sector is expanding rapidly, Belgium is facing a major challenge: the underrepresentation of women in engineering professions. A recent study highlights a striking contrast with other regions of the world, notably Morocco, which currently ranks second globally for the number of female industrial engineers.
This observation raises important questions about the Belgian education system and labor market. In many countries in Africa and Asia, technology fields are attracting a growing share of women, often encouraged by proactive policies and a different perception of scientific careers. In Belgium, despite initiatives to promote science to young girls, the numbers remain stagnant.
Experts explain this gap through several factors, notably the gender stereotypes that still persist in secondary education choices. Although Belgian universities offer high-quality training, the number of female students enrolled in industrial engineering remains significantly lower than that of male students, thus limiting diversity within technology companies.
To bridge this gap, the Belgian technology sector must rethink its recruitment and awareness-raising methods. The international example shows that better integration of women in tech is not just a matter of equality, but also an essential lever for strengthening the country's innovation and economic competitiveness in the years to come.