Women in Physics in Muslim-Majority Countries
https://physics.aps.org/articles/v14/33 June 1, 2021
Reem Abouemera
“Unfortunately, science as a field, to many, is associated with masculinity, and I wanted to challenge this myth,” said Heba EL-Deghaidy, chair of the Department of International and Comparative Education at AUC s School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
A prevalent myth claims that women are “no good” at physics, but just taking EL-Deghaidy as an example, many female members of her family are professors in physics and chemistry, and her educational background is in science education. She also observed numerous women who chose to study the various fields of science throughout her career, confirming that the myth merely stems from a stereotype, which many studies support but aren’t conclusive.
Why More Women Study Physics in Muslim Countries
March 8, 2021•
Physics 14, 33
Issues related to gender identity and the expression of femininity are key to understanding the high representation of women in physics in Muslim majority countries.
Figure 1: A new study identifies factors that draw women in Muslim-majority countries into physics. In these countries, women make up a much higher percentage of physicists that in western countries. The findings could help physics departments with a physics-gender-gap problem to broaden the participation of women.A new study identifies factors that draw women in Muslim-majority countries into physics. In these countries, women make up a much higher percentage of physicists that in western countries. The findings could help physics departments with a physics-g. Show more
Many countries in the Middle East and Western Asia have exceptionally high levels of participation of women in STEM fields a matter for reflection and celebration on International Women’s Day.