Reducing the gender gap in STEAM

This project, known as +Dones³, was set up to reduce the gender gap in STEAM subjects. It aims to inspire scientific and technological careers among young and teenage girls and promote women’s empowerment and digital skills acquisition. 

The project involved various activities to address the root causes of the digital gender gap. These include awareness-raising talks, workshops providing female role models, and activities introducing young girls and women to new STEAM disciplines. 

In parallel, exclusive programmes for women have been launched, enabling them to explore the STEAM field and create networks for knowledge exchange and mutual support in a gender-pressure-free space. 

Overall, +Dones³ stands out for integrating a gender perspective, employing participatory methodologies, and engaging various strategic areas of the City Council. 

The STEAM sector, which is experiencing continuous growth, has traditionally been male-dominated. This disparity is evident in Esplugues de Llobregat.  

In response to a request from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia to address the low representation of women in STEAM university studies, the City Council conducted a diagnostic study on the gender gap in STEAM fields within the municipality. Based on the findings of this work, several objectives were established, leading to the creation of +Dones³ as part of the Esplugues Urban Agenda 2030 and the Municipal Action Plan 2023-2027.  

In particular, the project is structured around four main action lines:  

• STEAM Training and Workshops for children and youth (ages 7 to 18) and adult women (ages 18 and up). 

• Awareness Talks for the general public to increase knowledge about the project's goals and impact. 

• Communication Activities through both online and offline dissemination materials and activities. 

• Transferability and Recognition activities through national and international networks and STEAM awards participation. 

Several areas for improvement have been identified, based on experiences of previous editions. These include conducting workshops for girls in collaboration with vocational training centres within the city and raising awareness in educational institutions about girls-only training sessions. 

+Dones³ addresses the gender gap in STEAM fields holistically, incorporating economic, social and environmental perspectives into its activities. 

The project improves competitiveness in the digital economy by emphasising STEAM education and women’s empowerment. Workshops and training sessions cover topics of increasing relevance in the job market, including programming, digital fabrication and robotics. 

The project also tackles social issues like sexist stereotypes in STEAM. During its activities, +Dones³ showcases successful female professionals to dispel the myth that STEAM fields are male-dominated. It also addresses gender roles, starting with school-age girls. Additionally, it supports vulnerable groups, including unemployed women, to mitigate their disadvantaged position in the job market. 

Furthermore, the project’s design and implementation incorporate an environmental perspective, emphasising self-production and responsible consumption. In the digital fabrication workshops, upcycling techniques are employed to reduce resource demand and minimise the environmental impact of production. 

To implement this integrated approach, collaboration among various stakeholders and departments of the City Council has been essential, including the Women's Policy, Technology and Innovation, Education and Strategic Projects departments. Expert companies in STEAM education and digital training have also supported project development. 

Esplugues City Council leads the implementation of +Dones³ across various departments. The Women’s Policy and Strategic Projects departments designed the project, the Technology and Innovation Department oversees the technological aspects, and the Education Department promotes the project in schools. 

Furthermore, the Women’s Policy Department surveyed students’ perceptions of gender equality, collecting responses from students in nine schools. School students, women entrepreneurs and professionals also participated in a diagnostic study on the gender gap in STEAM in Esplugues through focus groups and surveys. This report was complemented by the Catalan Departments of Education and University and the Baix Llobregat Regional Council, who provided specific data on STEAM studies and digital competencies in the city. 

Overall, these preliminary studies identified perceptions, needs and challenges related to STEAM vocations and digital competencies among girls and women. 

Professionals and experts in STEAM contribute significantly to +Dones³. They serve as mentors in digital transformation programmes and facilitate workshops, inspiring and guiding participants in their STEAM pursuits. These experts, along with City Council departments, form the +Dones³ monitoring committee. The committee periodically oversees activity design, monitors progress, and makes necessary adjustments, as well as developing evaluation tools and a communication plan. 

To assess the +Dones3 impact, surveys are shared with participants, and the monitoring committee evaluates the results to implement necessary improvements in subsequent editions. 

Specifically, the project achieved these results: 

• Raised awareness about the gender gap in STEAM for 1 674 people, including 1 182 girls and women 

• Trained 157 girls in STEAM skills 

• Engaged 14 schools in the project, with 9 participating in the student survey on gender equality 

• Enabled 20 girls to participate in the STEAM Girls camps focused on digital fabrication and programming 

• Empowered 52 professional women by enhancing their digital skills through digital transformation programmes 

Notably, the satisfaction levels for the STEAM training and specialised courses averaged 9 out of 10, while workshops in schools received a 7.4 rating, with at least 70% participation in all activities. 
 

Here are some key figures to show the project's impact: 

• Girls’ Aspirations in STEAM: 23 girls who participated in the workshops expressed a desire to pursue careers in STEAM fields.  
• Empowerment: Unemployed women experienced empowerment gains ranging from 64% to 100%. Women participating in digital transformation programmes also saw empowerment improvements, ranging from 43% to 100%. 

• Digital Skills Enhancement: Unemployed women demonstrated digital skills improvement between 64% and 100%. Women engaged in digital transformation programmes achieved a 100% enhancement in their digital skills. 

Digital technologies are creating a fast-growing market with good working conditions. However, the EU is experiencing an unprecedented lack of women in STEAM fields. Women constitute the majority of graduates from all tertiary education programmes, but still represent only two out of every five scientists and engineers. +Dones³ aims to solve this challenge by raising awareness and providing training for young girls and women. 

Promoting digital skills and fostering gender equality and women's empowerment, the project supports the EU's Urban Agenda, and Digital Education Action Plan. 

It aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, for gender equality and women empowerment, SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). 

At regional level, +Dones³ is part of the STEAMcat Plan to promote STEAM vocations, and received the DonaTIC 2023 award and the Federation of Municipalities of Catalonia Good Practice label. Nationally, Esplugues City Council is part of the STEAM Alliance for Women's Talent, and the Network of Cities for Science and Innovation “Red Innpulso”. 

It is crucial to conduct a diagnosis of the STEAM gender gap to customise the project for local needs. Municipal services need to facilitate access to schools and technology, offering guidance on Digital Fabrication facilities. Strategically placed mobile information points are also essential. The approach integrates learning by doing, technological processes, and gender, artistic and environmental aspects. 

Esplugues municipality is committed to internationalising the project and transferring knowledge to other local administrations. The town will host the 3rd Women, Innovation, and Science Day event of the “Red Innpulso”, where +Dones³ will be showcased as a transferable practice, enabling its adaptation to other contexts. Meanwhile, an agreement with Sant Just Desvern will promote two digital transformation programmes for professional and unemployed women.