Lack of role models discouraging women to become scientists

Daniel Bardsley writes that a lack of role models is limiting the number of Arab women who become scientists in a piece for The National. “Negative perceptions of women with successful careers and the challenges that many face of juggling work with domestic commitments were also highlighted” during a special session the World Science Forum in Jordan. “Another factor cited was how people perceive high-achieving women. Dr Amal Amin, a polymer chemist who is an advisory board member of the Egyptian Young Academy of Science, said ‘strong’ women could be viewed negatively in her home country. ‘Inside Egypt, the society looks at you [as though] you're not a woman,’ she said, adding that it was important that girls were given encouragement to challenge these stereotypes and to see themselves as strong and capable.”