UN Women in collaboration with the Makers Global in Sri Lanka, are conducting a series of capacity-building programmes designed to mentor and support young women to enter high-growth industries in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The MakHer programme which started in August 2024, is part of a project funded by the Republic of Korea to advance implementation of Sri Lanka’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
The programme’s recent event brought together 120 undergraduate students, industry leaders and representatives from the development sector to discuss the critical intersections between advancing young women’s aspirations in STEM careers and fostering ecosystems conducive to women’s economic empowerment. These efforts align with the Women, Peace, and Security agenda, as it underscores women’s economic empowerment as a critical pillar for achieving sustainable peace and development.
Delivering the keynote address at the event, H.E. Miyon Lee, Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, stated, “Ensuring the economic empowerment of women, especially in STEM fields, is essential for peace and development. During crises, technology-driven responses and women’s diverse perspectives and innovations can help improve social cohesion and provide solutions that can address inequalities and potential drivers of conflict.”.
The MakHer program recognizes that advancing women’s participation in STEM is essential not only for inclusive development but also for addressing the stark gender gap in Sri Lanka’s labour force, where women predominantly occupy low-skilled and informal work. Research by UN Women (2022) reveals that societal attitudes in Sri Lanka regarding the types of jobs women can and cannot pursue act as a major barrier to women’s entry into the labour force, with three-fourths of male employers surveyed in the study admitting that they were prejudiced against hiring women workers.
Ramaaya Salgado, Head of Office at UN Women Sri Lanka, highlighted, “Women continue to be underrepresented in fields like the tech industry, which is largely recognized as one of the fastest-growing and highest-paying sectors in the world. Closing the gender gap in STEM will not only ensure that women have access to more highly skilled employment; it will also ensure economic progress and help advance women’s peace and security agenda to foster more peaceful societies. We thank the Republic of Korea for their vital support in making this initiative possible.”.
This year, the global community will mark the thirtieth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). Sri Lanka’s national review in preparation for Beijing+30 highlights the importance of addressing the gender digital divide and promoting women’s participation in STEM fields as a priority action to accelerate progress on gender equality.
Nevindaree Premarathne, CEO of Makers Global, said, “Advancing young women in STEM is about building a future where quality education, gender equality, and economic growth thrive through innovation. With our MakHer initiative, we empower women to transform their aspirations into achievements, equipping them with the skills and confidence to lead in high-growth industries and drive sustainable development.”.
Through hands-on, expert-led workshops and mentorship, the MakHer programme will support 120 students from around Sri Lanka and will contribute to building inclusive ecosystems that promote women’s participation in peacebuilding and economic growth.
