"Robotics is a fascinating field of work. My clear message to women: You will find a great future in this industry," says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics. "The robotics ecosystem is growing year on year and we want to set a benchmark for gender equality."

Women's jobs by sector

On average, women are severely underrepresented in the labor market. However, this result varies from industry to industry: in the food and beverage industry in North America, for example, the proportion of women at entry level is 54%. 42% work in a managerial position, but only 15% reach board level. The wider industrial manufacturing sector lags far behind in the US and Canada, with only 33% of women at entry level. The potential to promote women into the labor market and combat labor shortages is not currently being realized by any of the 20 industries examined by the McKinsey "Women in the Workplace" study.
At the highest levels of management, not even the most progressive industries achieve gender equality. In healthcare, the proportion of women at the top management level is only around 30%. This is remarkable as this sector is leading the way with 70% of women at managerial level and as much as 76% at entry level.

Robotics industry supports women in their careers

Robot manufacturers such as ABB, FANUC, KUKA and YASKAWA have launched programs to reduce gender gaps in the world of work. They reach out to female candidates at a young age during their school years to spark their interest in new technologies related to robotics and STEM careers. These programs often work hand in hand with government initiatives, academic institutions and networking projects at a local level. One example of such a commitment is the female researcher camp at KUKA, which was set up together with the Bildungswerke Bayerische Wirtschaft and the Hochschule der deutsch-bayerischen Wirtschaft. At Camp 2023, twelve schoolgirls aged 15 and over worked on a task set by KUKA in order to gain practical experience that inspires enthusiasm for new technologies related to robotics and STEM professions.

Robotics training also plays a key role in professional life when it comes to promoting the participation of women in the workforce. Training courses range from basic programming for first-time users to complex workshops. International robot manufacturers offer courses with a special focus on gender equality in more than 30 countries.

IFR Award: "Women in robotics"

Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics

© IFR

"There are inspiring women working in our industry around the world who are role models for gender equality," says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics. "We want to give them more visibility and recognition: Starting in 2024, we will select the IFR 'Women in Robotics' and recognize them with the IFR's 'Women in Robotics: 10 Women Shaping the Future of Robotics' award."

The IFR's selection criteria include contributions and achievements that span the entire field of robotics and promote the industry, as well as activities that encourage young women to pursue careers in STEM professions or robotics.