The 1st Women in STEM Cyprus Forum, organized by The Tech Island and Women in Tech Cyprus, was a groundbreaking event aimed at fostering gender inclusivity in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Held in Limassol, this forum brought together industry experts, advocates, and policymakers to discuss the hurdles women face in STEM and the strategies needed to ensure equal representation and leadership opportunities for women. Below is a detailed account of each major presentation and panel discussion.

Tasoula Hadjitofi, a STEM professional turned activist, shared her unique journey from working in computer science to becoming an advocate for cultural heritage preservation. She recounted how her career in tech, combined with her personal experiences with the Cyprus war, led her to spearhead efforts to repatriate looted art from Cyprus. Hadjitofi used her STEM skills to create a network of informants and collaborate with international authorities to track and recover stolen cultural artifacts.

Her speech was a powerful reminder of how STEM education can be applied in various sectors, including activism, to make a tangible impact. She encouraged the audience to volunteer and support her ongoing efforts in protecting cultural heritage and human rights, highlighting the link between education, activism, and policy-making​/

Moderated by Olena Bolena, leader of MUFG Investor Services, this panel focused on strategies to attract more women into STEM fields. One of the key themes discussed was the challenges women face when re-entering the workforce after a career break, particularly after maternity leave. Bolena shared her insights on how companies can support women during this transition by maintaining roles, providing training, and fostering a culture of inclusivity.

Panelists discussed the following strategies:

• Standardizing job descriptions and recruitment processes to ensure that candidates are evaluated fairly, without biases that may disadvantage women.

• Encouraging women to take on leadership roles by providing mentorship and confidence-building opportunities.

• Creating a supportive corporate culture that includes policies for flexible working hours and parental leave to help women balance their professional and personal lives.

The panel concluded with actionable steps to make workplaces more inclusive and remove systemic barriers that discourage women from entering or returning to STEM​

Dr. Eliza Patouris delivered a compelling speech centered on the Femstem Initiative, a transnational project aimed at enhancing women’s participation in STEM within higher education across multiple EU countries. The initiative, which has partnerships with universities, industry experts, and gender equality advocates, addresses the stark reality that despite equal admission rates, only one-third of STEM graduates are women.

Patouris highlighted several barriers contributing to the low graduation rates for women, including stereotypes, gender bias, the motherhood penalty, and the gender care gap. She emphasized the need to change the narrative around women’s capabilities in STEM by addressing these deeply ingrained societal biases.

The FEMSTEM initiative focuses on:

• Improving the capacities of university professors to better support women in STEM.

• Fostering mentorship between female students and industry professionals to provide real-world guidance and support.

• Raising awareness through collaborations with educational institutions, trainers, and STEM organizations to ensure a long-lasting impact on gender equality in the tech industry.

Patouris concluded by urging the tech community to collaborate and take action, ensuring that women not only enter STEM fields but thrive in them.

The panel explored retention strategies for women in the tech industry, highlighting the importance of genuine diversity and inclusion efforts in organizational success. A significant topic was the role of egg freezing as a career-planning tool that allows women to focus on their professional growth without the pressure of their biological clocks.

Key points included:

• Mentorship and sponsorship as essential tools for helping women navigate their career paths, especially when considering leadership roles. Speaker 4 from PwC emphasized that career management for women often looks different from men’s, necessitating personalized support.

• The role of legislative changes, such as providing on-site childcare facilities, breastfeeding rooms, and flexible work arrangements, which are critical to supporting working mothers.

• Flexibility in the workplace was identified as a key factor in retaining women in STEM, particularly in companies that understand the unique challenges women face in tech.

The panel called for systemic changes in both societal norms and corporate policies to ensure that women can not only join but advance and lead in the tech sector​.

In his speech, Andreas Tsouloftas addressed the increasing role of women in Cyprus’s burgeoning tech industry. He acknowledged that while progress has been made, significant challenges remain, including gender bias, unequal pay, and limited access to entrepreneurial resources. Tsouloftas stressed the importance of government intervention in leveling the playing field, specifically calling for enhanced financial support for women entrepreneurs through venture capital and targeted funding.

He cited international examples of successful gender equality programs, such as Sweden’s gender equality certification and Denmark’s financial incentives for companies that adopt inclusive policies. Tsouloftas also underscored the importance of education and flexible work policies, advocating for government-backed programs that provide training, scholarships, and networking opportunities to women in tech.

To further this agenda, Tsouloftas announced that the Limassol Chamber is planning to launch several initiatives, including:

• A Women in Entrepreneurs and Technology Program with workshops and networking events.

• A mentorship initiative to connect young women with seasoned professionals in the tech industry.

• Advocacy for financial incentives aimed at companies demonstrating genuine commitments to gender diversity.

Through these efforts, Tsouloftas hopes to boost women’s participation in STEM and create a more inclusive tech ecosystem in Cyprus​.

Valentinos Polycarpou’s speech emphasized the importance of talent in driving technological advancement. He stressed that the future of the global economy relies on both information technology and the inclusion of talented individuals, regardless of gender. Polycarpou highlighted the critical need to attract more young people into STEM, ensuring that both men and women have equal opportunities to contribute to innovation.

His speech called for collaborative efforts to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in tech, emphasizing that full participation from all demographics is crucial for continued progress in the field. Polycarpou also pointed out that inclusive ecosystems are essential not just for diversity but for long-term success in technology-driven industries​(Valentinos Polycarpou).

The 1st Women in STEM Cyprus Forum was an important milestone in addressing the gender gap in STEM fields. The forum not only highlighted the challenges women face but also provided practical strategies to overcome these barriers. By focusing on mentorship, inclusive corporate policies, government support, and educational initiatives, the event laid a strong foundation for fostering a more inclusive tech ecosystem in Cyprus. As the country continues to grow as a regional tech hub, ensuring that women are empowered and supported in STEM will be key to shaping the future of innovation.