Overview

• The French government has officially launched the 'Filles et Maths' plan to increase female representation in STEM fields, addressing persistent gender gaps in education and the workforce.
• Key measures include mandatory gender-bias training for educators by September 2025 and the introduction of charters in teachers' rooms to combat stereotypes.
• Specialized math and science classes for middle school students, with a 50% female intake, will be piloted in five academies starting September 2025, expanding nationwide by 2026.
• The plan sets ambitious targets: 50% female participation in terminale math specialty by 2030 and 20–30% in scientific preparatory classes by 2026 and 2030, respectively.
• France aims to add 5,000 girls annually to math specialties starting in 2025, addressing labor shortages of over 20,000 engineers and 60,000 technicians per year.