Gender Benders Podcast

The Gender Census discusses the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal, Gender Equality, advocating for equal treatment of men and women politically, socially, and economically. Topics discussed include domestic violence and women in STEM. Domestic violence perpetrators tend to blame the victim, with older students attributing blame to societal factors. Causes of domestic violence include inebriation and lack of confidence, but also gender inequality. The wage gap contributes to domestic violence as women become financially dependent and vulnerable. Universities can help prevent domestic violence through education and repetition of gender equality courses. Empowering women in the workforce and supporting gender equality laws and representatives can also make a difference. In STEM fields, women face challenges due to stereotypes, biases, and lack of support. Solutions include diversity and inclusion initiatives, mentorship programs, and networking opportunities. All stakeholders must commit Welcome, everyone, to the Gender Census. Hello, this is Madeline Lee and Behista Kaja discussing the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal, Gender Equality. That's right. This goal advocates for the equal treatment of men and women in the census throughout the countries of the United Nations. To be more specific, this includes equal treatment of both genders politically, socially, and economically. Today, we will be discussing two topics, domestic violence, the physical, emotional, or verbal abuse that occurs within the home, most often between romantic partners, and women in STEM, both with the overarching theme of gender equality. Let's get started. I guess we'll begin with talking about domestic violence. How do college students attribute employment in domestic violence? To answer this question, I will cite a study conducted in the early 2000s on college students by Sheridan, Annetta Bryant, and Gail A. Spencer. For reference, 39% of those surveyed admitted to having participated in domestically violent behaviors within the last 12 months. Bryant and Spencer found that perpetrators of domestic violence are more likely to blame the victim rather than the situation. Males were more likely to blame the victim rather than the perpetrator of domestic violence, and older students attribute blame for domestic violence as a result of societal factors. What are the causes according to your research? Well, according to Seibel Kalica and Pinar Dunar, who conducted a survey on academic women's perspectives on domestic violence, there are many causes. Inebriation and lack of confidence are just naming two. However, an unseen cause for many is gender inequality. While we have undoubtedly come far as a society in regards to gender equality, particularly in granting laws to tear down any discrimination between genders, however, this does not change the fact that women struggle to obtain leadership positions in companies or make as much money as their male counterparts as evidenced by closing the gender pay gap in Canadian medicine by researchers Michelle Cohen and Tara Kieran. How does a wage gap alleviate domestic or intimate partner violence? Simple. Women who do not have financial independence become financially dependent. This economic dependency leaves them more vulnerable to experiencing violence at home because they do not have the financial means to lead and support themselves on their own. If one is looking to learn more on the relationship between economic dependency and abuse, then read the Judy Postmas' article, Economic Abuse as an Invisible Form of Domestic Violence, a multi-country review. How do you suppose your Mason can help prevent domestic violence? Universities have come far in helping to prevent sexual harassment on campus with heavy police presence. However, one can always go further. For example, new students in transfers are required to take a sexual harassment and alcohol course. While an important course for all students to take, one must question the longevity of the information learned. And Melba Deer-Yilmaz conducted an experiment on the effectiveness of gender equality courses on midwives in training called The Effectiveness of a Gender Equality Course in Changing Undergraduate and Midwifery Students' Attitudes Toward Domestic Violence and Gender Roles. She found that those types of courses are successful, but she could only account for the short term. With that thought, what's to stop a student from simply taking those courses and completely forgetting the material? In order to make sure the material is learned, I say, like in school, we repeat the lesson. No one has ever learned anything by doing it once and then never again. Instead of once in your college career, what about once every academic career? On a broader scale, though, empowering women in the workforce, basically through voting for paid transparency by corporations and supporting organizations that pave the way for women in professional fields, would be an ideal way for us to promote empowering women as a society. If you want to go even further, choose representatives and laws that support gender equality. With the empowerment of women, domestic violence will lessen and we will all be heroes. Now it's my turn to interview you. Alright, so I'm thinking I'm going to ask you all the questions at once and you answer. Alright, what are the current challenges facing women in STEM fields? Why do women remain underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics? What are some successful strategies and initiatives for promoting gender diversity in STEM? What role do education, mentorship, and workplace culture play in fostering inclusivity in STEM? How can individuals, organizations, and policy makers work together to address gender disparity in STEM? And what are the potential benefits of achieving gender equality in STEM fields? Welcome to Gender Benders, where we delve into the challenges and solutions shaping the world of STEM. I'm Vahisa Kwaja and today we're diving deep into the persistent issue of gender disparity in STEM fields. The problem of gender imbalance in STEM is striking. Despite progress over the years, women remain significantly underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Studies have shown that women in the U.S. exhibit less sense of belonging, positivity toward, and desire to participate in STEM compared to men, as highlighted. This lack of representation not only deprives STEM industries of diverse talent, but also perpetuates a cycle of inequality. To understand the foundations of this problem, we must recognize the systemic biases and societal expectations that discourage women from pursuing STEM careers. From a young age, girls are often steered away from STEM subjects due to stereotypes and lack of role models. As they progress through education and into the workforce, women face persistent barriers such as unconscious bias, workplace determination, and a lack of support networks. These challenges contribute to lower levels of confidence and inspiration among women in STEM. However, the good news is that there are solutions to address this issue and create a more inclusive STEM environment. Diversity and inclusion initiatives, such as rigorous diversity training, have shown promise in reducing gender bias and improving gender disparity in STEM. By raising awareness, challenging stereotypes, and fostering a supportive culture, organizations can create pathways for women to strive in STEM fields. Mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and targeted recruitment efforts can also play a crucial role in empowering women and breaking down barriers. As we move forward, it's essential for all stakeholders, educators, policymakers, industry leaders, and individuals to commit to advancing gender diversity in STEM. Supporting women in the workforce also means promoting paid transparency and backing organizations that help women succeed in their careers. By working together and implementing evidence-based strategies, we can create a future where everyone, regardless of gender, has equal opportunities to pursue their passions and contribute to innovation and progress in STEM. Thank you for joining us as we explore the complex issue of gender disparity in STEM and the pathways to positive change. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on the latest trends and developments in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Thank you. If you're looking to get more involved in the fight against domestic violence or simply want to learn more, go to ncadv.org. This is a website for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, who has made it their mission to stop domestic violence. To learn more about women in STEM field, go to www.aauw.org. This website explains the importance of women in STEM and STEMGAP. Thank you, everyone.