What is STEM? STEM is more than just a field of study; it's a mindset and a set of transferable skills that could help the next generation tackle some of the world's most pressing problems. The acronym STEM refers to the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. However, it’s not about being an expert in all of those things; instead, it’s about harnessing the essential transferable skills behind them. In STEM fields, learning is based on using real-world examples to solve problems.

 Kurdish women have made important contributions to the STEM fields, but why haven't we heard about them? Kurdish women's achievements could go unnoticed by the rest of the world because there aren't many books or articles about Kurdish women in general, let alone about their achievements. There are few specific analyses of Kurdish women's interactions within public spaces.

According to 2018 data, the STEM program in the Kurdish Region of Iraq, run in partnership with IsraAID and STEM Synergy with funding from the Mark Gelfand Family Charitable Trust, had a significant impact, with women and girls comprising 60% of students and 75% of teachers. Banaz Jalil, one of numerous Kurdish women involved in STEM, is the first to receive the Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future award. She is devoted to promoting the quality and safety of healthcare products, advancing the science and practice of pharmacy, particularly in LMICs, and advocating for women in STEM.

This year (2022), the First Global Symposium of Kurdish Women in Science was held in an effort to empower Kurdish women. The only way to create a progressive and welcoming society is to ensure women's equality. To accomplish this, the worldwide Kurdish community of scientists and professionals is essential.

By: Baniz Wasman