Throughout history, countless remarkable women have made invaluable contributions to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Their pioneering work has not only advanced human understanding in these disciplines, but also paved the way for future generations of female scientists and engineers, shattering stereotypes and challenging societal norms in the process.

Over the past decade, we've witnessed a significant increase in the number of women and girls from all backgrounds and races expressing interest in STEM fields. This diversity enriches the pool of minds focused on answering some of the most challenging questions of our time. The surge in female participation has led to an explosion of new perspectives, ideas, and innovations, contributing significantly to scientific and technological advancement. There are now more women scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and technologists than ever before working tirelessly to solve complex problems, making our planet a better and more advanced place to live. This shift is not only encouraging but also critical for the future of global innovation.

Despite progress in recent years, there is still a significant gender gap:within STEM fields. According to the National Science Foundation, women in STEM make up only 28% of the workforce in science and engineering occupations. This under-representation of women in STEM can be attributed to a number of factors, including unconscious bias and lack of access to opportunities. However, it is crucial that we work towards increasing female representation in these fields, not only for the sake of gender equality, but also to ensure diverse perspectives and approaches to problem-solving within the women in STEM community. By empowering and supporting women in STEM, we can drive innovation and advancements that benefit society as a whole.

In the sentence, “This under-representation of women in STEM can be attributed to a number of factors” (third paragraph), the modal verb expresses the idea of: