The House of the EU in Slovenia hosted a roundtable discussion titled Strengthening Equality in STEM and Energy: Alliances for Success, organized by the environmental organization Focus and the association ONA VE, in collaboration with the Representation of the European Commission in Slovenia. The event aimed to discuss the challenges and opportunities for increasing the participation of women in technical and natural sciences professions, particularly in the energy sector, where women account for only 15% of the workforce in Slovenia.
Dr. Jerneja Jug Jerše, Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Slovenia, delivered the opening address, emphasizing: “Gender equality in STEM is not just a matter of fairness but a crucial factor for innovation and sustainable development. Without the full inclusion of women, we are losing valuable talent and perspectives.”
The roundtable on equality in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and the energy sector highlighted the importance of collaboration and inclusivity, providing insightful perspectives from various experts.
Dr. Igor Papič, Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, stressed that the untapped potential in technical and scientific fields lies primarily with young women. “The potential of young men has already been largely utilized—those interested in STEM studies enroll. This is not the case for young women. While significantly more girls enroll in computer science and mechanical engineering programs today than in the past, prejudices still persist that these fields are more suited for men. This issue needs to be addressed as early as preschool or even before—by the time they reach university, it is often too late. However, from my experience, female students rank among the best, and mixed teams perform best.”
Katjuša Šavc, a project manager at the environmental organization Focus, pointed out that interest in technical professions declines as early as high school, resulting in lower enrollment rates in technical faculties. She highlighted the dropout rates and the fact that many female graduates with degrees applicable in the energy sector often leave the field. “The International Energy Agency has found that this happens because women struggle to advance compared to other industries, receive lower pay for the same positions, face workplace discrimination, and encounter an unfavorable work-life balance. These are the ‘leaks’ in the pipeline of female talent, where we keep losing them. However, each of these gaps can be addressed by institutions if they recognize them as problems and proactively seek solutions. Companies can take action through gender equality plans, while systemic measures can encourage hiring and promotion of women in businesses.”
Dr. Dejan Paravan, CEO of GEN energija d.o.o., emphasized the need to abandon the stereotype that links technical fields exclusively to men. “I firmly believe that good work, innovative ideas, and progress require diversity. Diversity fuels creativity. And that includes gender diversity. We need female energy—it complements male energy. And even all-female teams need men.”
Edita Krajnović, director of Mediade and co-founder of the Engineers of the Future initiative, highlighted that one of the key reasons for the low representation of women in STEM is their invisibility. “If girls do not see themselves as future engineers, they cannot become them. The Pareto principle, or the 80/20 rule, suggests that phenomena that are scarce will become even rarer, while those that are abundant will continue to grow. This is why it is crucial for women in STEM to be seen and heard. Initially, we were concerned that we would not find enough female engineers for the Engineer of the Year selection, but those fears proved unfounded. Women engineers do exist—it is not hard to find them. And once they embrace the mission of being role models and inspiring the younger generation, they significantly contribute to change. We need to persist in this effort, and I am optimistic about the future.”
The discussion was moderated by Mateja Malnar Štembal, President of the ONA VE Association, who concluded by stressing that it is never too early to promote knowledge and that young girls need role models who can guide, inspire, and open doors to the world of STEM. She also highlighted the crucial role of the media in ensuring their visibility, enabling them to serve as role models for future generations.
