Supporting the advancement of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is necessary for economic growth, writes Alexandra Scheeler at Science Progress, a progressive science and policy site. At a White House Council on Women and Girls event, US President Barack Obama touched on the importance of innovation for the economy. Scheeler notes that a press release from the White House has said that "increasing the number of women engaged in … (STEM) fields is critical to our nation's ability to out-build, out-educate, and out-innovate future competitors."
"To build upon their support of STEM women and ensure America's continued global competitiveness in science and technology, the Obama administration must advocate for policies that allow women to balance their career goals with their family lives," Scheeler adds.