Josie Christodoulou: Businesses with women in leadership are more efficient

Genuine gender equality in the STEAM sectors (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) is a prerequisite for societal progress and innovation, according to Josie Christodoulou, Commissioner for Gender Equality.

Christodoulou outlined the challenges that women continue to face in both Cyprus and Europe during her speech at the “Women in STEAM” conference organised by Cyta.

She stressed that STEAM fields are driving forces of innovation and crucial for shaping economic resilience and competitiveness. Yet, women remain underrepresented.

According to the SHE Figures 2024 report:

• In Cyprus, women make up 42% of the self-employed in science, engineering, and IT fields.
• However, they account for only 14% of senior research positions.
• Just 25% of board members in research organisations are women.
• Female inventors submit only 10% of patent applications.

Social stereotypes, unconscious bias and institutional barriers

Christodoulou attributed this imbalance not to a lack of skills or ambition but to social stereotypes, unconscious bias, and institutional barriers that limit women’s access, advancement, and leadership in these fields.

She discussed the well-known issues of the "glass ceiling" and "sticky floor" and emphasized the need for better work-life balance across professional, personal, and family life.

She stressed that the presence of women in STEAM is vital not just for fairness but also because it improves the quality of scientific output, enhances innovation, and enables the development of ethically and socially sensitive technologies.

As an example, she cited the need for diverse perspectives in algorithm development, warning that homogeneous development teams often perpetuate biases that affect technological outcomes.

She also paid tribute to women's historical contributions to technology, from the female “human computers” during WWII to the analysts of the Bletchley Park operation, noting that many women have made critical contributions without ever receiving full recognition.

Moreover, Christodoulou stressed that equal female participation in leadership roles serves as motivation and inspiration for younger generations. The visibility of women in senior positions, she said, boosts ambition and breaks down stereotypes.

She presented specific data and initiatives from the Christodoulides Government to promote gender equality, including:

• Expanding maternity and paternity leave,
• Establishing care structures for children and the elderly,
• Training career counsellors on how to deconstruct stereotypes.

She also mentioned the annual “HerStory” campaigns, which highlight the stories of women in male-dominated fields such as shipping and diplomacy.

In closing, she called for systematic collaboration between the state, private sector, social partners, and civil society. She cited existing partnerships with ETEK (Scientific and Technical Chamber of Cyprus) and KEVE (Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry), which are already working toward workplace equality. She also announced an upcoming memorandum of cooperation with OEB (Federation of Employers and Industrialists).

She concluded with a powerful message: “Promoting gender equality and creating a gender-aware work environment is a strategic choice for economic progress and societal sustainability.”