International Day of Women and Girls in Science: Why the future of STEM needs more women and why Acrobat Talent is leading the way

Every February, the world marks International Day of Women and Girls in Science, a United Nations recognised day dedicated to celebrating the contributions of women and girls to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and advocating for gender equality across these fields.

At Acrobat Talent, we are proud to have an all-female leadership team driving change in one of the world’s most male-dominated industries. Recruiting for STEM roles is not just a business for us. It is a mission to shift stereotypes, widen access, and help organisations unlock the full potential of diverse talent.

A persistent gap, but momentum for change

Despite significant progress in recent years, a gender gap remains stark in STEM. Globally, only around one-third of scientific researchers are women, with representation trailing even further in cutting-edge specialisms like artificial intelligence and robotics, according to UNESCO.

In the UK, women make up just 27% of the core STEM workforce. While this figure has slowly increased, it remains far from parity. Fields such as engineering and technology are especially imbalanced, with women holding fewer than 17% of roles, even though they represent a majority of the overall workforce, as highlighted by EngineeringUK.

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These numbers highlight the challenges ahead, but also the opportunity for change. They remind us that gender representation in science is not simply a nice to have. Diverse teams are proven to drive better outcomes in innovation, problem-solving, and organisational performance.

The value women bring to STEM

The benefits of gender diversity are not theoretical. They are measurable and meaningful.

• Innovation and Creativity - Women bring different perspectives shaped by varied experiences, which enhances team creativity and leads to more comprehensive problem-solving approaches. Inclusive groups are more likely to explore new angles and challenge assumptions.

• Stronger Mathematical and Analytical Insight - Across mathematics and science disciplines, women continue to demonstrate exceptional analytical capability and academic achievement, yet remain underrepresented in senior and research roles.

• Role Models Inspire the Next Generation - Girls are significantly more likely to pursue STEM careers when they see women thriving in them. Representation matters, whether it is in classrooms, laboratories, leadership roles, or recruitment teams.

Recruiting for a future we want to see

So what does it take to move the dial?

• Holistic hiring strategies - We partner with employers who value skills, potential, and diverse career paths, helping to break outdated hiring norms that focus too heavily on traditional backgrounds..

Following our recent Pacific Life Re assessment day for actuarial internships, 50% of the positions were offered to female students.

• Targeted outreach - Our team actively reaches out to female scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technologists, highlighting roles and workplaces where they can thrive, not just survive.

• Supportive networks - From mentoring programmes to candidate support before and after placement, we are committed to helping women not only enter STEM fields, but stay and lead.

Today we celebrate, tomorrow we work

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is both a celebration and a call to action. It reminds us that progress is happening, but there is still much more to be done, from closing education gaps to improving workplace representation and increasing women in leadership.

At Acrobat Talent, we are proud to be part of this evolution. With every role we fill, every career we support, and every employer we influence, we are championing a more inclusive, innovative, and equitable future.

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