STUDIES from the Unesco Institute for Statistics show that even though science research is slowly progressing in the Philippines, and with more women enrolling in university, relatively few females still pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
In response, the Filipino women who led the first-ever #STEMSisterhood: She Talks Asia x L’Oréal Philippines Tribe Meet Up for Women in Science, talked about breaking the cultural barrier that still discourages girls from pursuing STEM courses, to which the Commission on Higher Education reported a decrease to about 43 percent in 2017.
#STEMSisterhood is the first leg of an upcoming series of initiatives led by She Talks Asia alongside L’Oréal Philippines. The two organizations aim to spark conversations among women that disrupt and challenge the status quo, using the words “empowerment” and “sisterhood” to describe the spirit of many young aspiring women in the country.
“We have created our own tight-knit community that wholly believes women have the power to change the world,” said She Talks Asia CEO Sarah Meier in a recent press event in Makati that gathered Filipina advocates in the field who shared personal stories of hope, hardship and success. Seated on the panel were inspiring industry professionals Carmel Valencia, L’Oréal Philippines corporate communications manager; Alex Suarez, advocate of women in tech and country lead of Bumble Philippines; Dr. Geraldine Zamora, rheumatologist and founder of the Lupus Bridging Fund; and Dr. Maricor “Jing” Soriano, physicist at the National Institute of Physics at the University of the Philippines and a TOWNS Awardee.
The panel discussion took a deep dive on how to succeed in a masculine-led field, and how to build that ladder for Filipino women to be more open about succeeding in their respective careers.
“If it’s something that is of interest to you, start from a problem-solving mindset, and bring that to your career. Establish what you are going for, whether it’s taking an online class, whether it’s having a coffee chat with someone who is in the field that you are interested in,” said Suarez.
For Dr. Geraldine Zamora, who received the Ten Outstanding Young Men Award for Medicine in 2016, women should “just go for it. Do everything that you can do and achieve it. There will always be opportunities and you just get them. It’s really more about accepting the opportunities that have been presented to you, looking at your goal and working hard.” Zamora also talked about how being a mom affected her career. “It’s not impossible, only harder.”
“Not everyone can go into the sciences, but those who are passionate about science but don’t want to go into this discipline can still support the sciences. You may be a media practitioner, so go ahead and write about scientists and engineers. Wherever you are, you can do something to support the sciences [and women],” said Soriano.
“It’s powerful to see how L’Oréal Philippines and She Talks Asia came together for this #STEMSisterhood event,” said L’Oreal Philippines Corporate Communications Manager Carmel Valencia. “By taking this extra leap, we want to ensure that research in every field takes full advantage of the intelligence, creativity and passion of women. Over the last 20 years, our global For Women In Science advocacy has allowed us to impart the important message that the world needs science, and science needs women because women in science have the power to change the world.”
Valencia noted that men can foster a more enabling and understanding environment, so that their female colleagues or partners can put in more time and effort into their work.
She said, “It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a village to raise a scientist. You have to understand that to someone, you are part of someone’s village. Your friend or someone around you can get affected. Understand that you have a role to play, as well.”