Cyprus’ Women ...
Cyprus’ Women in STEM Summit Highlights Systemic Barriers — Not a Lack of Talent
Earlier this week, the second edition of Women in STEM Cyprus Summit , dubbed “Voices of Change” , convened more than 300 participants in the presence of political, academic, and business leaders. The event was co-organized by Women in Tech Cyprus and TechIsland, under the auspices of the President of Cyprus.
Summit discussions made clear that the persistent gender gap in STEM and AI fields is not rooted in women’s abilities , but in structural bias, social norms, and institutional inertia. Only about 25% of research-board seats are held by women, despite strong representation of female talent.
A national study cited at the Summit (by IMR/University of Nicosia) found that 41% of women working in STEM have considered leaving the field , or already have. The main drivers are burnout, lack of career progression, rigid working conditions, bias, and the challenge of balancing work with caregiving responsibilities.
The Summit argued that “wellness programmes” alone are insufficient; what is needed is real structural change , flexible work, inclusive cultures, unbiased recruitment, and systems that support retention and progression for women.
A particularly important point: when AI systems are built predominantly by homogeneous (often male) teams, the resulting tools inherit those biases. Poor representation at foundational levels , in data, in design, in leadership , matters, especially in AI and data science.
The Summit’s message goes beyond “let’s encourage more women in tech.” It moves into systemic critique: unless cultures, hiring practices, workplace conditions, and governance change, the barrier for women remains real. That means Cyprus risks under-utilizing a large segment of its talent , which hurts innovation, diversity of thought, and long-term competitiveness.
From an economic and societal perspective, retaining women in STEM and tech roles could significantly boost productivity, innovation output, and social equity. With Cyprus striving to deepen its digital ecosystem , through AI, ICT, and tech startups , excluding half the population is not just unfair: it’s economically unsound.
The “Voices of Change” Summit is a timely reality check. It underscores that promoting women in tech is not a checkbox or marketing slogan , it must be a core part of any serious digital-economy strategy. If Cyprus truly wants to be a “tech island,” it must dismantle the structural barriers women face. Failing to address burnout, lack of representation, and bias will continue to limit not just inclusion , but innovation itself.
Market Cyprus - News Service
Our digital marketing platform publishes daily captivating news about Cyprus, covering diverse topics from cultural events and historical insights to modern developments and travel tips. Stay informed and engaged with our up-to-date, interesting content showcasing the beauty and vibrancy of Cyprus.