[Report Summary] 2021 Gender Barriers Survey Report
- Dec 23, 2025
- 2 min read
The project was jointly conducted by INWES and the Association of Korean Woman Scientists and Engineers (KWSE). Through global data analysis, it examined gender differences in perceptions of workplace barriers in STEM.
1. Project Background and Objectives
The GISE project aims to transform subjective observations of gender discrimination into objective scientific data. The research team developed the GISE Index, ranging from −1 to 1, with higher scores indicating more severe perceived barriers.
The 2021 survey included STEM professionals of different positions, ages, and genders across multiple countries. Its purpose was to provide evidence that governments and organizations could use to develop more inclusive policies.
2. Key Finding: A Significant Gender Perception Gap
The report’s most notable finding was the substantial difference between how women and men perceive gender bias in the workplace:
Perceptions of workplace culture: Female respondents generally reported invisible gender discrimination, particularly in promotion opportunities and the assignment of important projects. In contrast, most male respondents believed that workplaces had become more equal.
Promotion and pay—the glass ceiling: Even with comparable academic performance, women continued to face a “glass ceiling” when advancing into management. Women recorded much higher GISE scores than men on questions concerning transparent promotion systems.
3. Regional Analysis and Taiwan’s Position
The report divided the global findings into several regions, including the APNN Asia-Pacific region and Africa:
Asia-Pacific region: Influenced by traditional cultural expectations, women experienced significant conflict between family caregiving responsibilities and career development.
Taiwan’s position: Although Taiwan has relatively progressive laws, GISE data indicated room for improvement in women’s satisfaction with pay equity and their influence in workplace decision-making. This is one reason the Taiwan Women in Science and Technology Association (TWiST) actively promotes the project.
4. Key Barrier Indicators
The report identified three major categories of barriers:
Structural barriers: Insufficient childcare support and limited flexible working arrangements make it more difficult for women to return to demanding STEM careers after childbirth.
Cognitive barriers: Common gender stereotypes include assumptions that men are more suited to leading engineering teams or that women are less capable in mathematics and analytical work.
Social-capital barriers: Women often lack mentors and access to informal professional networks, making it more difficult to obtain information, opportunities, and resources.
5. Conclusions and Policy Recommendations
The GISE report concluded that correcting gender imbalance in STEM requires more than encouraging women to participate. It requires organizations to “Fix the System”:
Data-driven action: Companies and academic institutions should regularly use the GISE Index to assess employees’ actual perceptions of gender barriers.
Transparent systems: Recruitment and promotion processes should be made more transparent and free from bias.
Male participation: Men play an essential role in creating gender-inclusive environments. If men do not recognize that barriers exist, systemic reform will remain difficult.
This report provides an important foundation for discussions at the 2026 APNN Annual Meeting in Kaohsiung, demonstrating Taiwan’s efforts to align with international standards and create a technology sector where everyone can thrive, regardless of gender.
Read the original report through the link or download it below:
In 2022, TWiST participated in collecting responses for the international survey. The related article and link are provided below:
2022 Gender Perceptions in Science and Engineering (GISE): Gender Barriers Questionnaire [International Survey]
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