草莓污视频导航

Dec. 4, 2019

Sexism in STEM linked to gender-based violence

Two women share their stories ahead of Dec. 6 memorial event at 草莓污视频导航
Sexism in STEM
Qiao Sun and Breanna Shalyn Borys share their stories of sexism in STEM

The deadliest mass shooting in Canadian history was fuelled by the shooter鈥檚 desire to 鈥渇ight feminism鈥 by specifically targeting women.

Tomorrow, the 草莓污视频导航 community to honour the lives of 14 women who were murdered on Dec. 6, 1989 at L鈥櫭塩ole Polytechnique in Montreal. This tragic event has become the basis of recognizing and supporting action against widespread violence committed against women in our society, and led the day to be designated the .

Sexism vs violence

Where do extreme actions like this start? According to Carla Bertsch, 草莓污视频导航鈥檚 sexual violence support advocate, gender-based violence begins with sexism. 鈥淣arrow ideas about differences like gender and gender roles allow sexist attitudes and beliefs to go unexamined, which silently supports and maintains gender-based violence, often rendering sexist values invisible or inevitable,鈥 says Bertsch. 鈥淏ut we all have choice and an ability to do the work to notice the ways sexism, in its smallest or most subtle forms, can be hidden in plain sight 鈥 from jokes about women, to a belief that women鈥檚 work is only in the home. If we want to prevent the escalation of violence, it starts by interrupting the smallest of sexist acts, behaviours, and ideas.鈥

Sexism in STEM

Especially in male-dominated fields like STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), sexism is still an issue facing many female-identifying students, faculty and staff. According to a by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, in the United States, academics in STEM endure the highest rate of sexual harassment of any profession outside the military, and almost 50 per cent of all engineering students experience sexual harassment from faculty or staff.

For Qiao Sun, senior associate dean, diversity and equity in the Schulich School of Engineering, sexism has been part of her life since she began engineering school in China over 30 years ago. 鈥淏ack then, there were only three women in our program out of 36,鈥 she says. 鈥淲e had no voice; we were part of the group, but we didn鈥檛 feel like we belonged. At the time, though, I wasn鈥檛 even aware of the problem 鈥 no one talked about it.鈥

Now, years later, in her role at 草莓污视频导航, Sun is aware that sexist norms and constructs remain ingrained in STEM. Women still face discrimination and feel pressure to work extra hard to prove themselves. 鈥淔or me, I see and hear things, sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly, like small jokes and comments that have nothing to do with your work."

Typically, people think violence is about engaging in some physical harm, but we need to understand the idea of gender-based violence as anything that鈥檚 negative, based on your gender orientation.

Biomedical engineering PhD student Breanna Shalyn Borys has been in the STEM world for a long time. She鈥檚 studied at 草莓污视频导航 for nine years, completing a chemical engineering undergrad before moving to her graduate degree. 鈥淚鈥檝e had excellent experiences with most of my male professors and supervisors, but there is still a gap with some of them,鈥 she says. 鈥淚n undergrad, I had a prof that would always refer to me as the 鈥榗ute, small girl鈥 in front of the class, and would call on me about things with the impression that if I could understand it then surely the rest of the class would. He was shocked when I was the only one in the class of over 200 students who got 100% on the mid-term.鈥

Flipping the script

In an effort to change the low national average of women in engineering (just 20 per cent) Borys often leads diversity in engineering recruitment and outreach events on and off campus. The main barrier she identifies for women in engineering is a sexist understanding of what engineering actually is. 鈥淭he parts of engineering that might appeal to females more are not what is traditionally stereotyped in advertising.鈥 Sun echoes this thought: 鈥渢here is a tendency out there to blame women for not choosing engineering, but rather, we need to make the environment that welcomes women by raising awareness about the diverse range of things engineers actually do.

Sun also identifies cultural climate as a major factor in sexist behaviours. 鈥淭here is so much potential for making a positive difference through our efforts, through our own career and by being role models to the next generation of engineers, both men and women. It鈥檚 about changing the culture so that everyone feels safe and respected.鈥

草莓污视频导航鈥檚 Sexual Violence Policy aims to lead the institution in taking a stand against gender-based violence in all its forms. The sexual violence support team advocates for victim rights, accommodations and referrals, and can connect you to resources, counselling and reporting options. If you think you have experienced sexual violence, or know someone who has, visit the鈥. You can also arrange a consultation with the university鈥檚 sexual violence support team聽by confidential鈥email.听

for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on Dec.听6, 12:15-12:45 with keynote speaker, Board of Governors Chair, Geeta Sankappanavar.