AmCham: Slovakia Below European Average in Proportion of Women in IT Sector

Bratislava, April 26 (TASR) - The proportion of women working in the IT sector in Slovakia is lagging behind the European average, which is 19 percent, compared to 15 percent in Slovakia, stated the American Chamber of Commerce in Slovakia (AmCham Slovakia) on the occasion of the International Day of Women in IT on Thursday (April 25). AmChaim stressed that creating an inclusive culture is critical for attracting female talent to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). "Women's unique perspectives make the workplace objectively more vibrant and innovative, which has impact on the quality of the product. However, there are objectively fewer women engaged in technology industries, and I personally believe in mentoring and in the new upcoming generation, for whom a world with equal rights and opportunities is natural," said AmCham Slovakia president Martin Mastalir. A European Commission (EC) evaluation analysis called 'Women In Digital Scoreboard' showed that Slovakia is lagging behind countries such as Finland, the Netherlands and Estonia in terms of the inclusion of women in digital jobs. An analysis by the World Economic Forum showed that global gender differences in educational attainment in OECD countries have decreased, but they are changing very slowly when it comes to education in STEM fields. "In Slovakia, it appears that girls are systematically discouraged from studying natural sciences and mathematics from early childhood, despite the fact that research hasn't shown any innate cognitive differences between men and women," stated AmCham Slovakia. According to AmCham Slovakia, only about 20 percent of women work in the fastest-growing and best-paid jobs, which are IT and engineering. The chamber added that raising awareness, educational programmes and supporting girls in building careers in the IT sector are key recommendations that can help remove the barriers that they face when making decisions. ko/df