Sustainable Gender Equality: A Comparative Perspective on STEM Education and Employment in Jordan

Ahlam A. Sharif (), Angela Lee, Alaa S. Alshdiefat, Muhammad Q. Rana and Noor-Alhuda Abu Ghunmi
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Ahlam A. Sharif: Architectural Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, The Hashemite University, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
Angela Lee: School of the Built Environment, University College of Estate Management (UCEM), Reading RG1 4BS, UK
Alaa S. Alshdiefat: Department of Civil Engineering, Philadelphia University, Amman 19392, Jordan
Muhammad Q. Rana: School of the Built Environment, University College of Estate Management (UCEM), Reading RG1 4BS, UK
Noor-Alhuda Abu Ghunmi: Department of Architectural Engineering, Philadelphia University, Amman 19392, Jordan

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 6, 1-19

Abstract: Gender equality is a concept that is synonymous with debates towards economic and societal advancement, as manifested through the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 5. This study sets out to identify the key indicators driving gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education and employment in Jordan. This area is both critical and timely in light of emerging challenges facing technological advancement, progressive economies, and wider societal inclusion strategies within the professional environment. This study predominantly employs a quantitative methodology, utilising a survey to evaluate and rank a comprehensive set of indicators/challenges associated with gender equality in the published literature. Feedback is gathered from both male and female participants. The findings of this study reveal certain categories and indicators that are highly ranked compared with others, with practical aspects such as workplace conditions and professional treatment, societal norms and gender stereotypes, and professional perceptions and underlying gender bias being more predominant in Jordan. This study also revealed differing challenges facing gender equality in employment compared with the ones faced in education. This finding resonates with the historical trajectory of academic progress in STEM fields in Jordan, and its divergence emphasises the need for a nuanced exploration to advance gender equality in STEM effectively.

Keywords: gender equality; STEM; education; employment; sustainable development (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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