As the World Economic Forum‘s Annual Meeting in Davos drew to a close, one session stood out for its urgent message: achieving gender parity in STEM is not just a matter of social equity, but a catalyst for global economic growth.

The session, “Driving Gender Parity in STEM for a Thriving Global Economy,” brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to address the critical shortage of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. With women representing only 28% of tech leadership roles, the need for change is more pressing than ever.

Ayumi Moore Aoki, Founder and CEO of Women in Tech Global, facilitated a dynamic panel discussion featuring Kate Behncken of Microsoft, Rika Nakazawa from NTT Group, and Dr. T R B Rajaa, Minister for Industries from Tamil Nadu, India.

The panelists emphasized that diversity in STEM is not just about fairness—it’s an economic imperative. Studies show that gender diversity in tech could add trillions to the global GDP by 2030. As Behncken pointed out, “Diverse teams are more innovative, directly boosting productivity and economic performance.”

Minister Rajaa shared insights from Tamil Nadu’s successful initiatives, highlighting the role of state governments in creating sustainable public-private partnerships. “We’ve found that aligning industrial policy with educational initiatives creates more pathways for women in STEM careers,” he noted.

Nakazawa from NTT Group stressed the importance of inspiring the next generation. “We’re using emerging technologies to show girls and women how STEM is integral to building sustainable futures—in economy, society, and community,” she explained.

The session outlined five key principles for achieving gender parity in STEM:

1. Equal opportunity in education and employment
2. Fair representation in leadership
3. Eliminating gender bias in emerging technologies
4. Universal digital access and literacy
5. Ethical innovation and responsible technology development

As the world grapples with rapid technological change and workforce shortages, the message from Davos is clear: gender parity in STEM is not just a noble goal, but a necessity for global prosperity. The challenge now lies in translating this call to action into tangible results across industries and nations.

With the 4th annual Women in Tech Global Summit on the horizon in Osaka this April, the momentum from Davos is set to continue. As Aoki concluded, “We’re not just discussing equity—we’re engineering it.”