Women in STEM
- UNAA
- Feb 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 12
For Dr Anyanee Kamkaew, science has always been about discovery. She still remembers the moment as a schoolgirl when she first witnessed a chemical reaction. ‘Seeing an entire world invisible to the naked eye fascinated me and made me realize how much there is to explore,’ she says.
That early spark led her to a career in research, and as an associate professor at Suranaree University of Technology’s School of Chemistry, her work on photosensitive organic molecules and nano-delivery systems aims to save lives by expanding cancer treatment options for patients in Thailand. She is one of three distinguished recipients of research grants from the 2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science, Thailand National Programme.
Their recognition comes at a critical time for women in STEM. Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in scientific fields, particularly in leadership roles. Globally, they make up just one-third of the scientific workforce, and only 35 per cent of STEM students are female. To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, UNESCO surveyed over 700 women scientists worldwide, asking them: What would change in your field if more women were involved in science? Their responses highlighted five key benefits: enhanced creativity and innovation, more inclusive research, higher ethical standards, improved working conditions, and more role models for future generations.
‘The experiences of this year’s L’Oréal-UNESCO awardees reflect the broader realities captured in UNESCO’s global survey,’ says Marina Patrier, Deputy Director and Chief of the Education Section at UNESCO Bangkok. ‘These inspiring scientists show what’s possible when women push past barriers to thrive in STEM. But far too many never get that chance, and when they are excluded, we lose out on diverse perspectives, inclusive research, and critical innovations that could drive progress for all.’
Thailand outperforms many countries in gender representation in STEM. According to the latest data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 45.9 per cent of researchers in Thailand are women—significantly higher than the global average. Yet, for Dr Pongkarn Chakthranont, a researcher at the National Nanotechnology Center and fellow 2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO research grant awardee, exposure to different academic environments revealed a stark contrast.
Growing up in Bangkok, the diverse representation of Dr Pongkarn’s teachers across all subjects, including science, made her feel that gender was no barrier to her career choice. ‘However, during my undergraduate and graduate studies [abroad], I saw a significant gender imbalance in STEM fields, with far fewer female scientists in academia.’
This lack of visibility matters. Studies show that when girls lack role models in science, they are less likely to see it as a viable career path. The urgency is even greater given that 122 million girls worldwide remain out of school, limiting their access to STEM studies and career opportunities. The gender gap isn’t just a women’s issue—it’s an economic challenge. The World Economic Forum estimates that doubling the number of women in the technology workforce by 2027 could add €600 billion to the global economy.
Addressing these disparities requires structural change. UNESCO’s 2024 publication, Call to Action: Closing the Gender Gap in Science highlights key strategies, including investing in extracurricular STEM programmes for girls, strengthening partnerships with female-led businesses in science, and increasing the media visibility of women scientists.
Dr Waleeporn Donphai, an associate professor in chemical engineering at Kasetsart University and a 2024 L’Oréal-UNESCO grant recipient, emphasizes that change must start early in education. She advocates for science clubs and camps for girls, mentorship programmes linking students with women scientists, and encouraging parents to introduce STEM learning through educational toys and resources.
Beyond structural barriers, Dr Anyanee stresses that resilience is key to translating cherished girlhood joys of scientific exploration into rewarding STEM careers. She advises aspiring female scientists to build a supportive network, seek out mentors and role models, and ‘keep pushing forward because the world needs your ideas and discoveries’.
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