More teenage girls are considering a career in the area of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM), according to a new report.
The report by I Wish, reveals that 93% of female transition year students surveyed rejected the stereotype that STEM careers are more suited to boys than girls.
That figure is up significantly from 78% in 2016.
However, 46% cited existing stereotypes in STEM as a reason for the fact that only one in four people working in STEM are women.
Meanwhile, 84% of female students surveyed said they want to know more about STEM compared with 53% in 2016, while 76% plan to study Leaving Cert Maths at higher level, up from 66% in 2016.
The latest I Wish report was launched today to coincide with International Day of the Girl.
"Our aim at I Wish is to increase female participation in STEM, to enable teenage girls to play an equal part in shaping their future and solving the problems of the world today," said Gillian Keating, co-founder of I Wish.
"We are very proud of the progress made to date, evident in our 2022 report. It is fantastic to see that perception of gender stereotypes has changed so significantly. At the same time, we see the need for continued and focused effort," she added.
According to today's report, parents or close family have outranked teachers as the most important influencers for 59% of female students surveyed, in relation to choosing Leaving Certificate subjects.
I Wish said this highlights the need to support parents, guardians and adults who are influencing subject and career choices.
Caroline O'Driscoll, co-founder of I Wish said they are seeing a positive trend in female STEM undergraduate enrolment.
"We have seen a steady increase in the number of female new entrants into STEM undergraduate programmes from 29% in 2014 to 36% in 2021, according to HEA data (2022)," Ms O'Driscoll said.
"Across almost all disciplines female enrolments in engineering almost doubled during that time, albeit from a low base.
"However there remains a challenge in physics and the physical sciences, where female participation has gradually declined since 2014," she added.
