Ulster Unionist Assembly Member for Mid-Ulster, Sandra Overend, has addressed SEMTA's launch of 'Women into STEM in the advance manufacturing sector' event at Parliament Buildings.  The project is aimed at tackling gender bias, especially in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) industries.

Mrs Overend, who is the Ulster Unionist Spokesperson for the economy and a Patron of SEMTA Northern Ireland (Science Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Alliance) said; 

“I was really pleased to address this SEMTA event, aimed at addressing the gender imbalance in the engineering and technology industries, and launching their women into STEM project.  This will see 20 small and medium sized firms and 4 large companies in Northern Ireland identify and develop 50 of their high potential female workers in STEM roles, with plans for career progression completed through a Career Development Programme. The project will also promote STEM subjects to around 1,000 school girls, through role models and case studies. 

“Programmes such as this are essential to ensuring that young women are given the best tools that will enable them to succeed in industries which have previously seemed out of their reach. Although the working environment for women has improved markedly in the last number of years, there remains a pronounced gender bias against women. 

“Change needs to be organic, but it will require assistance. The conditions need to be created so that women are given the same chance of success in the STEM sector, and in the highest levels of business, as men. 

“At present it seems that, at least on the face of it, academic barriers are not preventing women from succeeding in business and STEM industries, but obstacles do remain. The new Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Nemat Shafik said recently, 'it is mainly up to women to put their shoulders to the door and give it a hard shove.'  Like any door which is stuck, the more people you have pushing in the right direction, the easier it will be to break through.  That means that women who have already walked through need to keep it open for those who are yet to come through. 

“Ensuring that women are given the right mentoring and networking opportunities will allow them to succeed, and that is where programmes such as the one launched by SEMTA do so much to help.”