Women in STEM Forum makes business case for inclusive work policies
The inaugural Women in STEM Cyprus Forum, held on October 8 at the Kolla Cultural Factory in Limassol, made a resounding call for systemic reform to boost female representation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Taking place on Ada Lovelace Day and under the support of President Nikos Christodoulides, the event brought together leaders from diverse sectors to propose tangible strategies for empowering women in STEM.
Co-organised by Women in Tech Cyprus and TechIsland, the forum attracted students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and policymakers committed to driving change.
Opening speeches by Tanya Romanyukha, General Manager at TechIsland and Director of Women in Tech Cyprus; Gender Equality Commissioner Josie Christodoulou; and TechIsland Chairman Valentinos Polykarpou set an inspiring tone for the inaugural Women in STEM Cyprus Forum.
House speaker Annita Demetriou, also shared her support via video recording, emphasising the importance of collaborative efforts.
Following these opening remarks, Tasoula Hadjitofi delivered an influential keynote speech that encouraged attendees to push boundaries and make lasting, systemic changes to empower women.
In terms of the forum’s message, it was clear: gender diversity in STEM is not only a social goal but a business imperative.
While women comprise 28 per cent of the global tech workforce, only 18 per cent hold leadership roles.
“Increasing female representation in decision-making is not merely about closing gaps; it’s essential for driving innovation, improving performance, and ensuring profitability,” speakers emphasised, urging companies and governments alike to view diversity as a critical factor in tech sector success.
The need to change perceptions of STEM was emphasised throughout the forum, with a particular call to cultivate interest from a young age.
Participants advocated for educational initiatives that provide early STEM exposure, integrated with soft skill development, crucial for sustained career success.
This cultural shift, they argued, is essential to dismantle stereotypes that STEM is exclusive or male-dominated, encouraging young girls to see STEM careers as viable and fulfilling.
Moreover, mentorship emerged as a vital strategy to dismantle career obstacles for women.
“Structured programmes that connect women with mentors and role models are essential,” forum participants noted, stressing mentorship as a tool for growth and resilience against gender-specific challenges.
Networking, too, was recognised as fundamental, with calls for companies to establish platforms linking women to industry leaders, creating inclusive and supportive communities.
Beyond career progression, retention was highlighted as a priority. Speakers advocated for progressive policies, both corporate and governmental, to support women’s integration into STEM over the long term.
Flexible work arrangements extended parental leave, remote work options, on-site childcare, and dignified breastfeeding spaces were all cited as necessary investments.
“Supporting work-life balance through measures like flexible work arrangements, extended parental leave, remote work options, and family-friendly policies—including on-site childcare and dignified breastfeeding spaces—is a strategic move, not merely an employee benefit,” speakers emphasised.
They argued that such policies not only enhance productivity but also help attract and retain top talent by making workplaces more inclusive and accommodating for women.
The forum also addressed the challenges faced by female-led startups in securing capital, with attendees noting that “female founders, particularly in early-stage companies, often struggle to access the financial support they need to scale.”
This gap, they argued, perpetuates gender disparity in entrepreneurship. In response, they called for initiatives to close this funding gap and for training programmes that equip women entrepreneurs with skills in fundraising, negotiation, and consumer empathy to direct industry challenges successfully.
An ambitious target of 30 to 40 per cent female representation on corporate boards was set, as participants pointed out that gender-balanced leadership fosters more comprehensive decision-making and strengthens business strategies.
Investors were encouraged to prioritise female-led initiatives, viewing diversity as a pillar of corporate governance and championing gender inclusion across organisations.
The forum featured three panel discussions, each bringing new dimensions to the discourse on women in STEM.
The first panel, ‘Beyond Bias: How to Attract More Women in STEM,’ was moderated by Freda Yannitsas, CEO of Cyprus Mail, and included Polina Georgakopoulou, Monica Ioannidou Polemitis, Christos Papadopoulos, and Yulia Tarasova.
Polina Georgakopoulou addressed the barriers women face in re-entering STEM fields, underscoring MUFG’s role in breaking down gender barriers to help women envision long-term careers in STEM.
Monica Ioannidou Polemitis emphasised the value of mentorship and networking in advancing women’s careers.
Christos Papadopoulos highlighted the Ministry of Education’s initiatives to incorporate STEM into the curriculum, aiming to shift young girls’ perceptions early on.
Yulia Tarasova, representing KidIT, discussed how early STEM exposure dismantles stereotypes, empowering girls to engage with tech.
The second panel, ‘From Inclusion to Leadership: Retention Strategies for Women in Tech,’ featured insights from Savia Orphanidou, Jim Sukar, Cleo Papadopoulou, and Marianna Hadjiantoniou, with moderation by Raluca Ioana Man.
Orphanidou emphasised government-backed policies like egg-freezing awareness to support women in managing family planning, enabling them to focus on career growth.
Cleo Papadopoulou shared corporate insights, stressing that retention and inclusion initiatives must be deeply embedded in organisational culture.
Jim Sukar shared MUFG’s global retention strategies, while Marianna Hadjiantoniou stressed differences in hiring approaches, contrasting startups’ adaptability with formal policies needed in established companies.
The final panel, ‘Women Entrepreneurs and Funding: Strategies for Accessing Venture Capital,’ moderated by Yuriy Romanyukha, brought together Kyriaki Pantziarou, Andrei Kouzel, Liza Charalambous, and Natallia Cvetkovich.
Liza Charalambous shared her experience as a female founder navigating a male-dominated field, while Andrei Kouzel underscored the investor’s responsibility in supporting female founders, identifying health tech and green tech as particularly promising areas.
Natallia Cvetkovich outlined the importance of gender diversity in leadership, while Kyriaki Pantziarou emphasised Cyprus’ initiatives to align with EU goals for women’s participation in STEM.
Throughout the event, participants encouraged women to question established norms and challenge ‘why’ when confronting traditional barriers.
This push to rethink the status quo was seen as a catalyst for transformative change, inspiring young leaders to voice their ideas and pursue leadership roles.
The first Women in STEM Cyprus Forum proved not only a meeting of advocates and experts but a launchpad for meaningful change.
Its success underlined the need for collaborative efforts across industry, government, and academia to create a tech ecosystem where women are not merely participants but leaders actively shaping the future.
It should be noted that the Women in STEM Cyprus Forum was supported by a range of sponsors and partners.
The general sponsor was Exness, while MUFG Investor Services served as the gold sponsor. Adsterra participated as the silver sponsor, and Tribe, Selzy, and Energame were the bronze sponsors. Alphamega also contributed as a sponsor.
Meanwhile, CIM – The Cyprus Business School was the academic partner, with Gloria Jeans Coffee Cyprus acting as the coffee partner, and KEAN Soft Drinks as the beverages partner.
Media partners included the Cyprus Mail, Digital Tree, Fast Forward, Cyprus Business Group, and Panis Media.
The forum also had ecosystem partners such as CYENS, the Cyprus Computer Society (CCS), BPW Cyprus, and Young BPW Cyprus.
Finally, community partners included Founders CY, Cyprus_iT, Girls in STEAM Academy, Breaking the 20 per cent, Unity Growth, and the Women in Business and Beyond Conference, along with Startup Grind Cyprus.