This year’s International Women’s Day theme – Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls – reminds us that progress toward equality remains uneven. In 2026, women still hold only two-thirds of the legal rights that men have worldwide. For those of us working in STEM roles, this statistic carries particular weight as STEM industries shape the systems and technologies that define modern life. And they must also help shape a future that is fairer and more inclusive.
Yet despite decades of discussion, the barriers facing women in STEM remain strikingly consistent. Girls continue to fall out of STEM pathways early. Women entering technical careers face structural hurdles in recruitment, development, and advancement. Senior representation remains uneven, and balancing career progression with care responsibilities still falls disproportionately on women.
These are not abstract challenges. They are systemic and solvable – but only if we align meaningful action across education, industry, and policy.
Building the foundations early
Advancing equality in STEM must start long before the workplace. Access to early STEM experiences is still inconsistent, and this is why outreach is essential.
At 3M UK, our work with Greenlight for Girls – an international nonprofit dedicated to inspiring girls to explore STEM – plays a central role in how we support future talent. Through this partnership, volunteers from across our business deliver hands-on science activities, engineering demonstrations, and practical workshops designed to spark curiosity and build confidence. The events are intentionally immersive, allowing girls to experiment, problem solve, and see real-world applications of STEM in a supportive environment. Crucially, the programme provides direct access to female role models from 3M and beyond. When girls meet women working today as scientists, engineers, and technologists – and hear their stories firsthand – their sense of what is possible expands. Representation is not a ‘nice to have’; it is a catalyst for aspiration and long-term engagement in STEM.
Supporting women already in STEM careers
Strengthening the pipeline is only part of the solution. Supporting women once they enter STEM roles is equally important.
3M’s Women’s Leadership Network is one of the ways we do this. The network provides mentoring, development opportunities, and a peer community for women across technical and business roles. It creates space for discussions about progression, leadership, and the barriers that still exist within workplaces. This reflects a core principle: retention and advancement require intentional support, not just good intentions.
Policy frameworks are also essential. Fair parental-leave provisions, access to flexible working, and transparent progression pathways reduce the pressure points where women are most likely to step back or leave technical careers. These interventions strengthen outcomes for everyone, not only women.
Why collaboration matters
No single organisation can close the gender gap alone. Sustainable progress requires collaboration across industry, education, government, and community partners.
Creating equal rights and opportunities demands:
- More inclusive STEM education from early years onward
- Policies that support women at every career stage
- Workplaces that enable women to lead and succeed
- Visible role models who reflect the diversity of future innovators
A call to action
The fact that women still hold only two-thirds of the legal rights of men worldwide is a stark reminder that equality remains unfinished work. It reinforces why the call for Rights, Justice, and Action must translate into concrete steps.
STEM industries rely on innovation, evidence, and problem-solving – qualities essential to addressing inequality. By investing in the next generation, strengthening support for women in technical roles, and advocating for fair, inclusive structures, we can help build a world where girls see STEM as a place they belong – and where women have the rights, opportunities, and influence they deserve.
Progress is possible. But only if we act, and act together.
*World Bank ‘Women, Business and the Law‘ 2026 Report.
Author: Sophia Oliphant, Managing Director, 3M UK
