This year, I had the privilege of attending the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026: "Leading the Future" Dinner Forum on March 30 in Kuala Lumpur.

The event highlighted both progress and ongoing challenges in Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM). According to Statistics on Women Empowerment in Selected Domains 2024 by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), women make up over 50% of STEM students in Malaysian universities yet remain under-represented in careers and leadership roles.

Similarly, girls perform as well as boys in UK STEM subjects but women account for only about 27.6% of the UK STEM workforce, according to Women into Science and Engineering (WISE) 2024, with comparable gaps globally.

The British High Commission in Malaysia is advancing diversity, equity and inclusion through a growing UK-Malaysia collaboration on gender equality in science, driving action through engagement, policy exchange and initiatives such as this annual celebration.

At its core, the partnership between the UK and Malaysia aims to create scientific environments where women and girls are equally empowered to participate, contribute and lead.

Despite different national context, both countries recognise that inclusive science is vital not only for equity but also for innovation, resilience and sustainable growth.

The UK has built a structured ecosystem supporting women in STEM through national frameworks, targeted funding and institutional accountability, achieving meaningful progress despite persistent gaps at senior levels.

Malaysia, meanwhile, has developed a strong pipeline of female STEM talent, often outnumbering men in science-related university programmes, yet this academic success does not always translate into professional advancement, as barriers in career progression, workplace structures and societal expectations limit women’s visibility in leadership and high-impact roles.

What sets the UK–Malaysia partnership apart is its focus on action. Dialogue is paired with a clear intent to drive change at institutional and policy levels.

For Malaysia, this means strengthening support systems that enable women to move from education into sustained and fulfilling scientific careers with clearer pathways to leadership. For the UK, the partnership provides an avenue to share tested approaches while also learning from Malaysia’s ability to cultivate strong female participation at the education level.

Acting as a key facilitator, the British High Commission continues to connect diverse stakeholders, encourage cross-sector collaboration and ensure that gender equality remains embedded within broader science and innovation agendas.

The forum featured inspiring voices such as Dr Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi FRS, Malaysia’s first elected Fellow of the UK’s Royal Society, and Prof Datuk Dr Noraini Idris, founder of the National STEM Association. Their insights underscored a critical point that the issue is not a lack of ability but gaps in confidence, support and opportunity.

From an early age, subtle biases can shape how boys and girls engage with science. Boys are often encouraged to experiment and take risks, while girls are praised for neatness and obedience. Even when girls perform equally well, they may underestimate their abilities and opt out of STEM pathways.

A panel discussion featuring a science entrepreneur, representatives from TalentCorp and a university explored the systemic factors driving the progressive loss of women at every career stage in Malaysia’s STEM ecosystem, with insights from UK-Malaysia collaboration highlighting strategies to address these gaps.

In Malaysia, access to education for girls has improved yet participation in STEM, particularly in leadership roles, remains uneven. Many enter STEM programmes but fewer pursue long-term careers due to workplace cultures, limited mentorship and the challenge of balancing professional and personal expectations.

The UK has addressed similar gaps through policies, partnerships and public campaigns to encourage girls in STEM. Despite progress, both countries face challenges in retaining women, showing that this is a shared global issue requiring continued collaboration.

Reflecting on my own experience in male-dominated fields such as forestry and agricultural research, I found the work both challenging and rewarding. I was fortunate to have supportive male colleagues who treated women with respect, showing that gender equality is a shared responsibility.

Yet not every woman has this experience. Many must constantly prove themselves and some leave STEM altogether. Closing the gender gap requires building confidence in classrooms, fostering inclusive workplaces and challenging stereotypes. Girls must be able to see STEM not only as a viable career path but also as a way to contribute to solving real-world challenges.

The forum served as a timely reminder that while progress has been made, more remains to be done. Ensuring that girls not only enter STEM but thrive within it is essential. When women succeed in science, the benefits extend far beyond individuals to society as a whole.

Chong Yen Mee is a member of the UNFCCC Roster of Experts