Number of women in science is not low (see e.g. biological sciences, health sciences, pedagogy, etc.), but number of women achieving high posts in science can be regarded as significantly low. Number of women graduating from universities or even PhD studies may be above 50% in developed countries. Children, home problems, social stereotypes, glass ceiling effect cause that  there may be more difficult for them to achieve long-term success. There may be interesting research: compartmental study between number of publications, grants etc. and achieved highest posts, awards, 

Dear Aieman, 

The statistics is very different in my country. We have had almost the same number of women in nearly every science and engineering field in recent years. Even in some fields women outnumber the men. In my classes, we have many women and most of them are well organized and good students.

Dear @Aieman, The issue of fFew women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics has many variables and is affected by many factors. The following article entitled:" Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics" by Catherine Hill, Christianne Corbett, Andresse St. Rose  discusses this issue: DESCRIPTION: “In an era when women are increasingly prominent in medicine, law and business, why are there so few women scientists and engineers? A new research report by AAUW presents compelling evidence that can help to explain this puzzle. Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics presents in-depth yet accessible profiles of eight key research findings that point to environmental and social barriers - including stereotypes, gender bias and the climate of science and engineering departments in colleges and universities – that continue to block women’s participation and progress in science, technology, engineering, and math. The report also includes up to date statistics on girls’ and women’s achievement and participation in these areas and offers new ideas for what each of us can do to more fully open scientific and engineering fields to girls and women.” See the wholse article at the link:

http://nsf-i3.org/resources/view/why_so_few_women_in_science_technology_engineering_and_mathematics/

Dear Behrouz

Thank you for your information about your country

Dear Abdallah

Thank you for your explanation, and the link of the article.

I do not know if there exists a kind of gender inequality or if it is just another form of the common discrimination as to gender. Probably time will show us the truth.

There are few women in the T and E of STEM, at least in US and in Malaysia.  Women tend to do better in life sciences.  This is unusual because females did better than boys in school, and have a majority of places in university.  But in  Technology and Engineering, the number of women is small.  To encourage women, scholarships are provided.  Furthermore, a significant number of undergads in US failed to graduate after 6 years in varsity.  This is why I'm currently doing research in motivation for STEM education.

http://www.engineergirl.org/9539.aspx

It is simply women's / gender choice and opportunities available as well as circumstances and chain going on from family to family.

The answer to this question would depend on where exactly we are focusing on.  At least in the western world, the number of women in STEM jobs has been increasing.  It is just the choice of profession or life choice.  I think Kuldeep had a good answer to it.

 On a side note, I personally believe we shouldn't be "throwing money" at this issue.  We shouldn't try to encourage any women or even men into a position they may not actually be passionate about.  It may create less capable workers or researchers.  It creates a toxic environment with fellow workers or students.  A remedy would just be to expose children (not just girls) to how mathematics can be used in their lives (not to be confused with forcing programming on them at a young age, understanding the mathematics behind it is a bit more important), I think understanding mathematics a bit more, or to see more science at a younger age for 'what it is' directly may sway more towards it.  I used to work in education programs for after-school science programs and it tends to hook a lot of people towards it, especially after I see them in a few years.

Thank you Miranda for your answer and the link provided.

Dear Daniel

I totally agree with you, it depend on where exactly we are focusing on.

Number of women in science is not low (see e.g. biological sciences, health sciences, pedagogy, etc.), but number of women achieving high posts in science can be regarded as significantly low. Number of women graduating from universities or even PhD studies may be above 50% in developed countries. Children, home problems, social stereotypes, glass ceiling effect cause that  there may be more difficult for them to achieve long-term success. There may be interesting research: compartmental study between number of publications, grants etc. and achieved highest posts, awards, 

Dear Emilia,

Yes,  no doubt, "Children, home problems, social stereotypes, glass ceiling effect cause that  there may be more difficult for them to achieve long-term success."

I am agree with you , but in recent years, we note a rapidly increasing of the number women in every fields of science.

Sometimes it depends on your professor: There is one who does not allow women in class or makes it very difficult to attend. For awhile he refused to sign a grade sheet that shows women getting a high mark in my classes. Probably he has to be referred to the discrimination board for hearings.

Numerous women had to leave said university to continue/ graduate elsewhere. Administrators avoided the subject or pretended it did not exist.

Really? You don’t look like a scientist!

Research shows women who look feminine are judged less likely to be scientists...

Women in science have plenty of anecdotal evidence that looking feminine and “looking like a scientist” at times seem mutually exclusive. They’ve revealed their professions at parties to be met with surprise, been asked where the professor is in their own university offices, thought maybe they shouldn’t wear a dress to that conference. Now there’s scientific evidence as well. A recent paper in the journal Sex Roles reveals that people viewing photos of real researchers are more likely to associate women with non-science occupations if they appear more feminine...

https://www.researchgate.net/blog/post/really-you-dont-look-like-a-scientist

Because, whether we like it or not, nature predestined women to the much more important task :-))

Women basic nature are decency ,cleanness , system formation accuracy ,calm temperament & such other related qualities which may help them to the field of Science,Technology , Engineering, & Mathematics . It is fact that they are very few in said areas but in case of their involvement in the said subject they have made a remarkable name.

It is nature that Engineering generally they would not prefer instead they may off for medical science where they are quite many . The same to for technology .As they have liking for medicine , other laboratory ,programming plan & such other areas they will not come in few reference .

As to match they have an interest in subject but they would not prefer it or have a very less attraction that they may not build up their professional career in a standing manner .

This is my personal opinion 

Dear @Aieman, please do find attached an article about the 15 women who created the technology industry...

The first who were mentioned were  Esther Gerston and Gloria Gordon.

The first computer programmers and most celebrated mathematicians throughout history were women. In honor of Women's History Month, here are the oft-forgotten, influential tech pioneers. In this photo from 1946, two of the first programmers, Esther Gerston and Gloria Gordon work with the ENIAC computer....

More others were discussed in the article.

http://www.techrepublic.com/pictures/photos-the-women-who-created-the-technology-industry/?ftag=TREe09998f&bhid=26515897512689358169344413145444

Because women have a role that is even more important than science itself :)

Dear @Josef, you are making someone very nervous regarding the role of women in science, technology, engineering...!

But nature is just one and we are the part of it.