Serhii Tokarev, the co-founder of the investment group Roosh and an IT entrepreneur, continues to be a vocal advocate for gender equality in science and technology. His recent reflections on the International Day of Women and Girls in Science underscore the persistent challenges faced by women in these fields. Tokarev emphasizes the need for daily conversations about women’s professional achievements to combat existing biases.
Within the Roosh ecosystem, Serhii Tokarev places a strong emphasis on achieving gender equality, citing its benefits from both a business and societal perspective. He believes that fostering gender balance within teams leads to generating innovative solutions. Despite the concerted efforts by businesses and governments, gender imbalance remains a global issue, extending beyond the confines of the IT sector.
A key initiative supported by Serhii Tokarev is STEM is FEM, an educational project in Ukraine that aims to promote science among girls. This project, initiated by Tokarev, focuses on informal education, encouraging young girls to pursue STEM specialties. Through educational modules, courses, and webinars, STEM is FEM introduces girls to female researchers, building a community that supports and motivates each other.
Yuliia Tkachenko, an 18-year-old participant in the STEM is FEM community, exemplifies the impact of such initiatives. Tkachenko, who started studying drones in high school, identified a critical issue with Bayraktar drones operating in adverse weather conditions. Her solution, adding a laser sight to drones, highlights the creativity and problem-solving skills that flourish when women are given the opportunity to contribute to STEM fields. Tkachenko is now a student at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and actively involved in an IT startup in the healthcare sector.
Nadiia Kasyanchuk, another member of the STEM is FEM community, is pursuing her master’s program at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poland. Specializing in medical biotechnology and genomic data research related to Parkinson’s disease, Kasyanchuk has co-authored articles published in Scopus-indexed journals and received multiple awards at international conferences. Beyond her academic pursuits, she teaches a course at the Kyiv School of Economics, further contributing to the promotion of STEM education.
STEM is FEM, by fostering educational initiatives and building communities for women in STEM, plays a crucial role in advancing not only societal equity but also contributing to a more advanced economy, aligning with McKinsey & Company’s findings on the positive correlation between reducing the gender gap and increasing GDP.
STEM is FEM, an influential educational project, is dedicated to cultivating a passion for STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) among young girls in Ukraine. Beyond conventional education, this initiative aims to create a supportive community where like-minded individuals come together. Within this nurturing environment, girls not only provide mutual support but also share their ideas, fostering a collective growth mindset. Serhii Tokarev, a prominent Ukrainian IT entrepreneur and co-founder of Roosh, envisioned and initiated this transformative project.
The impactful contributions of STEM is FEM did not go unnoticed, as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine recognized its significance in 2023. Honoring the project with the title “Honorary Ambassador of Ukraine in the field of scientific and educational diplomacy” speaks to STEM is FEM’s commitment to shaping future leaders and fostering diplomatic efforts in the realm of scientific education.
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