In an effort to create a more equitable and inclusive society, the STEM is FEM project has announced the launch of Ukraine’s first STEM ecosystem. The idea for this initiative came from Sergey Tokarev, a well-known IT entrepreneur and partner of Roosh, a investment group.
The main mission of the project is to provide equal opportunities for Ukrainian girls in STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The ecosystem being created will bring together organizations, professionals, and ideas aimed at supporting education and careers in these fields.
This important initiative opens up new prospects for young Ukrainian women, providing them with the opportunity to receive continuous education and realize their potential in science and technology. Creating such an ecosystem is a step toward building a more inclusive and diverse society, where everyone has a chance to contribute to the development of global innovation.
Initiated in 2019 by Sergey Tokarev, the project, which became known as STEM is FEM, was intended to change the mentality and approach to STEM education in Ukraine. At that time, the team’s main goal was not only to encourage Ukrainian girls to be interested in science and technology but also to provide them with the necessary information about career opportunities in these fields.
To achieve this goal, a wide program of events was developed, including lectures, seminars, meetings with successful women representatives of the STEM field, and practical exercises. The project team sought not only to convey relevant information to the participants but also to inspire them to achieve success in these areas.
The launch of the project in 2019 marked the beginning of a new era for Ukrainian girls, providing them with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of science and technology and gain confidence in their abilities on the path to successful careers in STEM.
Sergey Tokarev with STEM is FEM team has raised the bar in its activities by implementing the ambitious art project SHE is SCIENCE. Project staff teamed up with talented Ukrainian illustrators to create portraits of 12 outstanding Ukrainian women scientists. These paintings not only visually impressed viewers but also became a source of inspiration for many young girls dreaming of a career in STEM.
Exhibitions of the art project were not limited to Ukraine, they were presented at the international level, including UNESCO headquarters in Paris, drawing attention to the importance and priority of equal opportunities in science and education for women.
Based on the success of the SHE is SCIENCE project, STEM is FEM did not stop there. In 2023, the initiative was awarded the title “Honorary Ambassador of Ukraine in the field of scientific and educational diplomacy” by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, which emphasized the significance of their work.
Under the auspices of STEM is FEM, over the past five years, more than 500 girls have found inspiration and opportunities for their development. But this is just the beginning: this year the team plans to attract 1,000 young Ukrainian women to this ecosystem, and by 2030 there is a desire to increase this figure to 10,000.
According to Sergey Tokarev, as part of such activities, the project team invites Ukrainian and foreign experts and mentors who are ready to share their experience and knowledge with participants in all three communities. They also actively collaborate with educational institutions, businesses, and the government of Ukraine to create a supportive environment for women in STEM.