‘Progress in STEM equality doesn’t come from a single event’

Breaking: Ireland’s STEM Gender Gap Sparks Urgent Call for Action as I Wish Festival Inspires 4,000 Girls to Dream Big

In a nation racing toward a tech-driven future, a stark reality looms: Ireland holds Europe’s largest gender gap in advanced digital skills, with women trailing men by a staggering 26 percentage points. Yet, amid this challenge, a movement is gaining momentum—one that refuses to accept the status quo and is rewriting the narrative for girls and women in STEM.

At the heart of this transformation is I Wish, a national initiative co-founded by Gillian Keating and Caroline O’Driscoll. This year’s I Wish Festival, held at Dublin’s RDS, welcomed nearly 4,000 teenage girls, offering them a front-row seat to the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. But this wasn’t just another career fair—it was a catalyst for change, a space where girls met industry leaders, heard real-life success stories, and saw STEM careers as not just possible, but personal.

“STEM isn’t just about equations and experiments,” says O’Driscoll. “It’s about solving real-world problems, creating the future, and belonging to something bigger than yourself.” Her words resonate deeply in a country where the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) reports that only 18% of women use advanced digital skills in the workplace, compared to 44% of men. This gap isn’t just a statistic—it’s a missed opportunity for Ireland’s economy and society.

Keating, echoing the urgency, explains that the barriers girls face in STEM often begin early, shaped by social conditioning, a lack of visible role models, and structural obstacles. “This isn’t about talent,” she emphasizes. “It’s about access, encouragement, and belonging.” The I Wish Festival challenges this narrative by asking STEM to adapt to girls, not the other way around—a revolutionary shift in thinking.

The festival’s impact is amplified by the stories of trailblazers like Olympic paracyclist Richael Timothy, International Rose of Tralee Katelyn Cummins, and Olympians Louise Shanahan and Gráinne Walsh. These women didn’t just share their successes—they opened up about the challenges, the doubts, and the moments that shaped their journeys. “If even one girl leaves I Wish feeling she belongs in STEM, we’ve succeeded,” says Keating. And with 4,000 girls in attendance, the ripple effect is undeniable.

But the work doesn’t stop at the festival. O’Driscoll and Keating stress the need for continuous support at every stage—from primary school, where gender-inclusive STEM education lays the foundation, to secondary school, where initiatives like I Wish connect learning to real-world careers. At third level, mentorship and targeted support are critical, while industry must offer flexible pathways that account for diverse life stages and responsibilities.

The stakes are high. Ireland’s future economy depends on STEM skills, innovation, and problem-solving. Excluding women isn’t just inequitable—it’s unsustainable. By enabling girls and women to fully contribute their expertise, Ireland gains a larger, more diverse talent pool, stronger innovation, and a workforce that reflects the society it serves.

As the I Wish Festival proves, change is possible. It’s not about a single event or initiative—it’s about consistent commitment, collaboration, and belief in potential. It’s about showing girls that they belong in STEM, that their voices matter, and that their futures are limitless.

Tags: #STEM #GenderEquality #WomenInTech #IWishFestival #Ireland #DigitalSkills #STEMEducation #RoleModels #Innovation #FutureOfWork #BreakingBarriers #TechForAll #EmpowerGirls #STEMCareers #DiversityInSTEM #GirlsInSTEM #STEMForAll #ChangeMakers #TechRevolution #STEMInspiration

Viral Sentences:

• “STEM isn’t just about equations—it’s about solving real-world problems and belonging to something bigger.”
• “Ireland’s future depends on STEM skills, and excluding women is not just inequitable—it’s unsustainable.”
• “The I Wish Festival doesn’t just ask girls to adapt to STEM—it asks STEM to adapt to girls.”
• “If even one girl leaves I Wish feeling she belongs in STEM, we’ve succeeded.”
• “Change isn’t about a single event—it’s about consistent commitment, collaboration, and belief in potential.”
• “Seeing women succeed in STEM helps girls visualize themselves in similar roles, breaking down stereotypes.”
• “STEM careers are not just possible—they’re personal, achievable, and relevant to every girl’s future.”
• “The ripple effect of 4,000 girls inspired at I Wish could reshape Ireland’s STEM landscape forever.”
• “Mentorship, role models, and flexible pathways are the keys to unlocking girls’ potential in STEM.”
• “STEM is for everyone—and I Wish is proving it, one girl at a time.”

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