Paris, 26 February 2026 — UNESCO today announced the expansion of its Girls' Education in STEM programme to 40 additional countries across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and the Arab States, bringing the total country footprint to 85 Member States and extending its reach to an estimated 2.5 million girls over the next three years.
Gender Gap in STEM Education
Despite significant progress in overall gender parity in education, a pronounced gap persists in STEM subjects. UNESCO's data reveals that women represent only 35 per cent of STEM students in higher education globally, declining to 22 per cent in engineering disciplines and just 18 per cent in computing. These gaps compound to produce substantial gender imbalances in the emerging technology workforce, reducing both diversity of innovation and equality of economic opportunity.
Programme Modalities
The expanded programme operates through a multi-pronged approach:
- Scholarship and Financial Support: Need-based scholarships for girls transitioning from lower secondary to upper secondary STEM pathways, with particular targeting of girls from rural and low-income households. - Mentorship Networks: Structured mentorship connecting girls with women scientists, engineers, and technology professionals through digital and in-person platforms. - Teacher Training: Systematic training for mathematics and science teachers on gender-responsive pedagogy and unconscious bias in classroom dynamics. - Role Model Campaigns: High-visibility campaigns celebrating women scientists and technologists from the cultural contexts in which the programme operates.
Partnerships
The expansion is supported through partnerships with national governments, the private sector — including commitments from technology companies including Microsoft, Google, and Ericsson — and civil society networks led by UNESCO-associated educational institutions.
