Gender Diversity and Inclusion: More women encouraged to join China's STEM sector

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Science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or the STEM sector has been the main driving force in socio-economic development for decades. Although female participation has increased in both areas, the STEM sector remains largely male-dominated. An event called, Ladies Who Tech, was held in Shanghai on Saturday to change the status quo. Lin Nan has more.

Mechanic Zhuang Xuede lost his left hand in an accident 3 years ago. He lost his job, and couldn't even do basic everyday activities. A robotic hand has rekindled his hope.

ZHUANG XUEDE MECHANIC "I can do many things now. It was almost impossible for me to tie shoelaces or open a bottle. With the help of the robotic hand, they became doable again."

Scientist Yin Kuiying is behind this invention. She and her team captured the brain signals for hand movement, analyzed them and built models so that the robotic hand can read users' minds and make movements. Yin hopes that it will bring disabled people and the elderly more freedom.

YIN KUIYING, CHIEF OF LINK SENSE LAB NANJING RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY "When people get old, their souls will be sealed within the weakening bodies. I can't change the length of life, but I hope that people can live life to the fullest."

LIN NAN NANJING "The robotic hand can be controlled by a user's mind from a distance. Experts say it will be widely used in the future, by say firefighters working in dangerous environments."

Yin and the robotic hand was one of the highlights in the Ladies Who Tech Convention in Shanghai on Saturday. The annual event is held to encourage more women to join the STEM sector in China.

JILL TANG, CO-FOUNDER LADIES WHO TECH "Not only in the reality there is a gap, but also we don't have enough women role models. We need a platform where we can showcase innovation, technology and entrepreneurship through women's perspective. If you cannot see it, you cannot be it."

HENRY LI, YOUTH PROGRAMME OFFICER UN WOMEN "If we want to form the world in a better way, science and technology are the main drivers of a better future. But for voices of woman, for roles of woman, and for participation of woman, if those are lost, we may not really have a future that reflects upon the needs and the interests and desires of woman."

The convention aimed to offer a platform for experience sharing, networking, and presenting role models for women.

IVY XIE, SENIOR PRODUCT MANAGER WEWORK "No matter what you are working on, whether it is a product or a creative invention, you will be questioned. If you don't believe in yourself and doubt your decisions, you won't be able to carry on. Confidence is very important."

LILY SERNA SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR AND DATA SCIENTIST "Our society is gender diverse, so if we are trying to create products that appeal to society, we need gender representation within tech and STEM to create products that everyone can use."

Many believe that the STEM sector can benefit from more participation of women and ultimately contribute more to the society and the people in need. Lin Nan CGTN Shanghai.