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Parliamentary question - E-009884/2014Parliamentary question
E-009884/2014

Science and technology gender gap

Question for written answer E-009884-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Barbara Matera (PPE)

Despite being the fastest expanding area of the global economy, growth trends in the science and technology sector are worrying. UN Women has noted the significant gender gap that exists within this field in terms of both education and employment opportunities for women.

In developing areas, women and girls show much lower rates of technological literacy and lag far behind men in tendency to access and make their voices heard on the Internet. In developed regions, cultural factors often funnel women away from educational opportunities and careers in science and technology fields.

Both of these trends leave women on the sidelines of leading technological innovation and as regards making their voices heard with the technology at their disposal. If no action is taken, cultural and educational barriers to women’s full engagement in science and technology sectors threaten to set back the global movement for gender equality.

1. How will the EU examine and potentially alter its social investment fund allocations in order to close the gender gap in the science and technology sector?

2. Once approved, how can implementation of the Women on Boards Directive be shaped to address the lack of female science and technology leadership?