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WISL (Women in STEM Leadership) is delighted to announce the highly anticipated dates for their upcoming WISL International Conference. The conference is scheduled for August 11th and 12th, 2023, at the prestigious Omni Las Colinas Hotel in Irving, Texas. This two-day event aims to bring together women in STEM leadership from around the world to share knowledge, foster collaboration, and inspire one another. The Women in STEM Leadership International Conference is outlined to fulfill the needs of every woman in the field. The conference attendees will have the opportunity to develop their personal and professional identities, establish valuable support networks to help them, identify ways to achieve their goals, and engage in meaningful connections and exchanges of ideas, all while enjoying a positive and empowering atmosphere. Founder and Executive Director of WISL, Ogechi Ugwulebo, expressed her excitement about the inaugural conference, stating, “The Women in STEM Leadership conference is part of our commitment to dismantle  any barriers and provide women in STEM with valuable professional development opportunities to advance in their careers.” Women in STEM Leadership (WISL) is the leading organization dedicated to empowering women by offering them the support, resources, and tools necessary to excel in their careers and become catalysts for change within the STEM industry. The organization’s primary goal is to create multiple opportunities for professional women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) to advance into leadership roles within the traditionally male-dominated STEM ecosystem. WISL welcomes all women interested in STEM to join their organizations and participate in their initiatives. By joining WISL, women gain access to a supportive community, valuable networking opportunities, mentorship programs, and various resources tailored to their professional growth in STEM. To learn and know more about the Women in STEM Leadership organization and to become a member, interested individuals can visit the official website at womeninstemleadership.org. The website provides comprehensive information about the organization’s mission, programs, and events, allowing women to take a proactive step toward achieving their STEM career goals. The WISL International Conference promises to be an event of great significance for women in STEM leadership. As the conference approaches, anticipation builds among professionals in the field who are eager to participate in this unique opportunity for growth, empowerment, and collaboration. With its commitment to fostering inclusivity and providing a platform for women to thrive in STEM, WISL continues to drive positive change within the industry and inspire future generations of women leaders in STEM. For more information contact:  Ogechi Ugwulebo ogechi@anwep-usa.org (775) 200-4513 Kate McDougall-Mason kjmmason@hotmail.com (530) 392-0802

BLOG WHY CULTURAL CHANGE IS NECESSARY TO BRIDGE THE GENDER GAP IN STEM Merriam Webster defines cultural change as the ‘modification of society through innovation, invention, discovery, or contact with other societies.’ No society can develop without cultural change because change is constant and creates an enabling environment for growth and development. Gender inequality has most of its roots in the culture of a people and that in turn retards the growth of a society. Culture contributes to gender stereotyping and expectations, for example, associating math with boys. Unless there is a revolutionary change that will cause different ways of viewing the world, we will keep having societies that thrive on poor cultural perceptions of women. WHAT CAUSES CULTURAL CHANGE A society or people cannot change until they change their old ways of doing things by either learning from their mistakes, being innovative or by contact with other people. Here are some causes of cultural change. Environmental factors. Technological inventions. Acculturation. Actions of individuals. Direct borrowing from other cultures. WHAT LIMITS CULTURAL CHANGE Just as there are many causes of cultural change, there are also lots of things that lead to resistance of such changes. These factors can be either internal or external and they include: Religion: This is a key reason that many use to resist cultural change. For instance, if a person’s religious beliefs center on how a woman should behave and that behavior does not include going out of the house, getting an education, having a say in certain matters or puts a structure where women cannot go into some fields like STEM, it will be difficult to change this view as it has deep roots in a person’s belief of how God wants the world to be and resistance becomes natural as such a person will want to protect the word or wishes of God. Culture: Culture itself can be a strong ground for resistance as many people’s lives revolve around the acceptable norms of their communities and naturally they wouldn’t want to let go of the only life they have always known. Personal beliefs or selfish reasons: Some people do not want change because they can no longer hold onto their privilege. For instance, it’s common to see women push the desire for equality while men afraid of losing their privilege actively resist that change or discredit the movements to achieve it. If lesser women in STEM guarantee more spaces for men, there is a higher chance of men resisting the active movement to create more spaces for women in the field. Lack of Awareness: Sometimes, people resist change because they do not understand how such a change can transform their lives for the better. For instance, people may not understand that their society will become better if they encourage the education of women and actively work towards creating spaces for women so that they can help develop a society. This lack of awareness can lead to stagnation in the development of the society. HOW CULTURAL CHANGE CAN BE ACHIEVED Open mindedness: People have to be willing to accept change for it to occur. No society can change if its people choose to remain close minded. Encouraging women education and participation in diverse fields: No society can develop without the development of women who make about fifty percent of the population. In order to move forward, no one should be left behind. Borrowing from other cultures: No culture has it all and it’s necessary for our survival as humans to learn from each other.   Innovation: For a place to develop, they have to be willing to try new things and come up with new ideas that will push them forward. In WISL, we place great emphasis on stimulating social change, promoting gender equality, creating safe spaces and encouraging women to go into more male dominated fields like STEM for the sustained growth and stability of the economy.

BLOG WHY GENDER EQUALITY IN STEM IS IMPORTANT Gender equality is a topic that has been up for debate for a while now. Many think gender equality is a term that assumes there is no difference between genders. But in reality, gender equality refers to equal access to opportunities and resources such as decision making, economic participation, and educational rights regardless of gender. That means someone’s gender should not be a reason why they are excluded from opportunities or access to resources. This issue is a universal issue and we can see how it affects the future of girls especially in male dominated fields like STEM. According to UNICEF, gender equality means “that women and men, and boys and girls both enjoy the same rights, resources, opportunities and protections. It does not require that girls and boys, or women and men, be the same, or that they be treated alike.” And UNFPA also stated that “despite many international agreements affirming their human rights, women are still much more likely than men to be poor and illiterate. They have less access to property ownership, credit, training and employment. This partly stems from the archaic stereotypes of women being labeled as child bearers and home makers, rather than bread winners of the family.  They are far less likely than men to be politically active and far more likely to be victims of domestic violence.” WHY WE NEED GENDER EQUALITY It reduces the rate of poverty: Poverty rate is higher in women than in men, mostly because of the education and job opportunities gap between the genders and also cultural factors that prevent women from working especially after they get married contributes to this. One way to push a society out of poverty is by investing in gender equality. Women are more vulnerable to violence and food insecurity. It is good for the economy:  By increasing the participation of women in the economy, we are increasing the GDP and that helps a society move forward economy wise. According to UN, ‘half of the economic growth over the past 50 years is attributed to girls having better access to education.’ It increases the chances of having healthier children: When women are allowed to make their own choices and given access to earn more income and participate in the economy, it increases the chances of having healthier children.  Women are also known to invest most of their earnings in their families. UN also state that women’s education is crucial in cutting child mortality rates. It provides for a healthier working environment: When women are given more access to equal opportunities and equal pay, it provides for a healthier working environment. Women will be more willing to put in their all which will lead to more development. Women rights are human rights: Gender equality protects the rights of women and that will save their lives in the long run. By making sure women are given equal access, we are emphasizing on their humanity which is something that gets lost in gender inequality. WHY WE NEED TO FOCUS ON GENDER EQUALITY IN STEM We  need more female leaders in STEM We need more women in STEM We need more access to opportunities The world cannot fully develop without the development of women. Our dreams are important and should matter too. The world is changing and we need to change along with it. Women are tired of being locked out of the economy Women should be allowed to make their own choices. Healthy women lead to healthier children. We need to focus on the next generation. WISL focuses on gender equality by providing more access to opportunities for women in the STEM field. According to a youth survey report issued by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, young men are almost twice as likely to have a career in computer science and technology-related fields than women. Women make up on average just 22% of the total number of Engineering and Technology university graduates each year. According to the same source, women make-up roughly a fifth of the total number of people working in information and communication technology sector. This disparity starts much earlier when female enrollment in technology and engineering courses in higher institutions is lower than males. This means that men are shaping the technology being developed, while women are largely passive users. Research has shown that better and more useful tools are created when the developers fully represent the diversity of the societies, we live in. In addition, 90% of the jobs in the next 10 years will require technology skills and knowledge. If women are under-represented as technology developers and sophisticated users, we will be left behind in tomorrow’s world. Research has also shown that early-stage, girl-focused intervention, which continue to nurture this interest through their adolescent and early adulthood are critical in closing this gender gap. WISL’s STEM focused programs for girls provide an avenue to increase the numbers of women working in computer science and related fields by making technology careers attractive and dispelling stereotypes of gender-appropriateness of technology via engaging classes, presenting female technical role models and providing access to mentorship.

BLOG WHY SAFE SPACES ARE NECESSARY FOR WOMEN IN MID LEADERSHIP STEM ROLES Networking is important for women and especially women in leadership positions. Being a leader or a woman in stem (STEM being a male dominated field) is challenging enough but for many women, that is not the only challenge, they are also saddled with other responsibilities such as motherhood, marriage, and other family responsibilities. WHY YOU NEED A SAFE PLACE TO NETWORK A safe place refers to a place you can go to meet likeminded individuals in order to feel empowered, share ideas and information as well as get access to support, services and recreational activities. In these safe places, women can meet other women who will ensure that they feel free from violence to network and provide opportunities. Without safe spaces, women’s growth is inhibited. Here are some of the reasons why you need to find a community of like-minded individuals: To build a social network and connect with peers with similar backgrounds and experiences. To access safe services. To receive the appropriate information about your area of interest and issues relating to women generally. To get encouragement from people in the same situation. To learn the best ways to apply your acquired skills. WHAT A GOOD SAFE SPACE SHOULD CONSIST OF Safety and Accessibility: A good safe space should be safe and accessible to the target audience. It should assure the privacy of its members and tailor its schedule to fit the schedule of its members. It should be a place people can and are willing to be themselves without the fear of stigma or shame. It should be free from any physical or emotional threat. Leadership and Empowerment of Women: A good safe space should be able to focus on the leadership and empowerment of women. Especially, in fields like STEM which tend to be male dominated due to cultural and social factors which leads to less women in leadership roles. It is important that women get spaces that will help encourage and promote their empowerment. Community involvement: Without the involvement of the general community, it will be difficult to run a safe place. For instance, such a place will need funding by shareholders who are part of the community. And community involvement will make it safer for members to meet and carry out their activities. This however does not mean that it should bend to community pressure. A Clear Code of Conduct for Staff and Members: A good safe space will have a clear code of conduct that all its staff and members must follow. There should be rules to guide people so as not to infringe on others rights as well as to promote peace and harmony. Inclusion: A safe place should be inclusive of everyone regardless of age, race, sexual orientation or class in society. It shouldn’t discriminate between members of the society or value some members at the expense of others. WHY WOMEN IN STEM LEADERSHIP (WSIL) IS A PERFECT SAFE SPACE FOR WOMEN IN MID LEADERSHIP ROLES Here, in Women in Stem Leadership, we provide the following for our members: Skill acquisition: You can never have too much skills and WISL focuses on providing its members with the necessary tools and information to improve their leadership skills. Experience: Our experiences shape us into the best version of ourselves. With WISL, you will get the perfect platform to acquire valuable leadership experience in order to reach your full potential. You will also have access to people with more experiences who will guide you on your career journey. Education: As humans, we need to constantly educate ourselves about the world around us in order to move forward, and with enough guidance and appropriate tools, you will have the perfect opportunity to further your education as well as get access to career opportunities with WISL. Networking: As the popular saying goes, ‘no man is an island.’ We need to connect with others to grow as humans and in our respective careers. WISL will provide a platform for you to connect and network with like-minded women and that will lead to more access to opportunities you wouldn’t ordinarily get without those connections. WISL will also provide professional guidance, access to the best leaders in the industry as well as a chance to learn online at your own pace and convenience. We provide a safe space for our members to reach their full potential as leaders in the STEM field.

BLOG WHY WE NEED MORE WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES IN STEM Certain fields like science, technology, engineering and mathematics have always been male dominated. Even though we have more women going into these fields as time goes by, there is still a significant shortage of women, especially in leadership roles. For instance, in the United States, women are said to make up 48 percent of the workforce in the tech field but hold only about 18 percent of the leadership roles in top tech companies. WHY THERE ARE LESS WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES IN STEM CULTURAL FACTORS: Cultural factors play a huge role in the participation of women in the STEM field. In many cultures, they are believed to be men only roles and too much or too stressful for women and that pushes a lot of young girls away from it. The views of a society determines the level of the participation. In closer communities or more traditional settings, women are only encouraged to go for more ‘girl-like’ fields and men are allowed to dominate STEM fields. CONFIDENCE GAP: Many women are less likely to put themselves out there and shoot their shot. Due to our upbringing and social factors, men tend to be more vocal and open with their wants and desires and women are more likely to sell themselves short. Cultural factors and lack of adequate support also contributes to this. GENDER PERCEPTIONS: Some people hold the belief that men naturally make better leaders than women and that belief shapes how people choose their leaders. Beliefs like these are one of the leading causes why people feel more comfortable to choose male leaders and also because some women internalize these beliefs, it makes it difficult for them to seek out these roles LACK OF SUPPORTIVE STRUCTURES: Women are less likely to get structures set up to support them in these fields. According to Heather Metcalf “Lack of support structures for women that create opportunities for them to advance and gain the recognition they need to be considered for advancement” is keeping women from advancing into leadership roles in STEM. THE NEED FOR WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ROLES IN STEM THERE IS A NEED FOR MENTORSHIP: A lot of young girls aspire to go into these fields and are in need of guidance and mentorship from women with more experience in the field. This is why organizations like WISL focuses on bringing these two categories of women together to facilities a better future for young girls in these fields. CREATING SUPPORTIVE STRUCTURES FOR YOUNGER WOMEN: The more women there are at the top, the more women centric structures we get. Women leaders are more likely to include and build better structures that will consider other women. THE RIPPLE EFFECT: Generally, people feel more encouraged and inspired to go into things when they see other people doing the same. More women at the top will inspire young girls to dream and hope to also go there. Having more women in leadership roles will definitely be a big step in encouraging young girls to follow their passions and go into STEM leadership. HOW TO BE A GOOD LEADER/MENTOR FOR YOUNG GIRLS Have something of interest that will attract people willing to learn and invest. Be deliberate about who your audience is. Understand that networking is a necessity and you need it to go far. Identify your vision and explore avenues that will help you actualize it. Keep your ideas simple and easy to digest Focus on a specific group of people. Create programs of value that target young girls. Become what other women need and what younger girls can benefit from. Understand that STEM is changing and move with it. HOW WISL CAN HELP As an organization that focuses on empowering women in business and leadership, WISL is redefining the way women in these fields collaborate to drive innovation and business growth. WISL aims to create a safe place for women in top and mid leadership roles to connect with young girls aspiring to join the STEM space so they can become the resource these girls need to grow in this field. It also provides a platform to build your network and connect with other women in STEM leadership providing the much needed sisterhood platform to connect and network with like minded women.