WOMEN IN STEM - CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

The pursuit of doctoral studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) represents a significant pathway for young women to advance their careers, foster personal development and contribute to diverse fields of scientific and technological innovation. Young women must stay motivated and involved in the various fields of technological development, informatics, science and mathematics. Today we can see how that traditional barrier of divisions of male or female fields of science is breaking down. The opportunities for women's advancement are at a high level and they can contribute with their talent to making different types of decisions or running their own businesses. This paper focus on identifying and promoting initiatives aimed at motivating young women to pursue higher education in STEM disciplines. A key aspect of this research involved analyzing the educational trajectories of female students in our region, particularly focusing on enrollment, retention and completion rates at both undergraduate and doctoral levels. Through our analysis, we observed that, while more women are entering STEM fields, there remains a significant underrepresentation in doctoral programs within the Pelagonian region. This suggests that, despite growing interest, there are persistent barriers preventing women from pursuing and completing doctoral studies in STEM. Our methodology includes exploring motivational factors and institutional support mechanisms that could better encourage young women to continue their education in STEM. We research which targeted initiatives and support systems should be implemented in order to empower more women to achieve advanced qualifications, thereby enhancing diversity in STEM leadership and contributing to broader societal and technological advancements.