For All Women and Girls: Ariana Tenu empowering her peers to choose STEM careers

Ariana Tenu is a 21-year-old Electronics and Telecommunications Faculty student at the Technical University of Moldova. From an early stage in her academic career, she knew she wanted a profession that would open multiple doors for her: “I chose engineering and management in telecommunications because it offers various career opportunities,” mentioned Ariana. She is poised to become the first in her family to break into engineering. Her father was her biggest supporter: “He told me that women in engineering have great career prospects and that a woman in this field is a powerful force”. 

Empowering girls to study STEM fields
Ariana is taking an active role in promoting engineering as a viable and rewarding career for girls. She became involved in student organisations, including serving as the president of her faculty’s student union and volunteering to promote STEM careers among high school students. She also mentors young women considering engineering careers, offering admission guidance and sharing her experiences.

"I believe girls can study engineering and other technical fields. I actively participate in events dedicated to women in STEM and promote this cause as much as possible on social media. I’ve been promoting this idea to high school students, shared my contact details, and reassured them that it's not as difficult as society or even their families might say."

Beyond advocacy, she sets an example through her achievements. Having earned multiple merit-based scholarships—including one from a bank, the esteemed Presidential Scholarship, and Erasmus opportunities—she proves that women can thrive in STEM and step confidently into leadership positions

Data suggest that only 4.6% of female students in Moldova choose STEM fields. Ariana believes early encouragement is the key to increasing girls' participation: “Education needs to start in schools. Some were skeptical when I told my teachers I wanted to study engineering. That’s where the problem begins. We must show young girls they are just as capable as boys in science and technology.” 

Overcoming Barriers: Gender Bias and Representation
Despite her determination, Ariana has faced gender-based challenges. She initially felt pressure in a cohort with four female colleagues and 35 male peers. “In my first year of university, I dressed more casually, avoiding skirts or anything that would draw unwanted attention,” she admits. “And in the lab, there were times when male colleagues would tell me, ‘Let me handle it,’ questioning my abilities.” 
She has also faced age-related biases, particularly when she began teaching mathematics. “I was told I looked too young to be a teacher.”

However, the aspiring engineer sees positive change: “People’s mindsets are shifting, and we’re proving that gender doesn’t define talent.” 

Through scholarships, mentorship programs, and representation in leadership roles, Ariana envisions a future where more women confidently enter and thrive in engineering. “The opportunities exist,” she says. “Now we need to make sure girls have the motivation and belief that they belong here, too.”

Ariana believes that access to resources is essential for empowering students, especially young women in engineering. With initiatives like the EVOLVE4GE project providing better resources and learning environments, Ariana envisions a future where more women confidently pursue careers in STEM. Recently, UN Women Moldova renovated an electronics laboratory at the Technical University of Moldova that is transforming learning for over 400 students, including Ariana. In the lab, she is benefitting from DIY radio kits, Arduino sets and advanced electronics tools, thanks to the EU-funded EVOLVE4GE project. “Access to these resources means we can apply what we learn in theory. It gives us confidence in our abilities and prepares us for real-world engineering challenges,” Ariana explains. 

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action: Still Relevant Today
Reflecting on the past 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration, Ariana believes that while progress has been made, there is still much work to do. “When I think of my future career, I strongly believe that women need equal access to fair wages, family-friendly workplace benefits, and representation in leadership positions”.  

For all women and girls…
“To every girl who dreams of a career in STEM: You belong here. Break the stereotypes, push forward, and show the world that women can and will revolutionize technology and engineering”, said Ariana.