Key Takeaways
• Women hold only 4–5% of technical aviation jobs like pilots and air traffic controllers worldwide.
• ‘Girls Can Fly’ offers hands-on events, mentorship, and scholarships to inspire girls towards aviation careers.
• Female representation in aviation leadership rose from 24% in 2020 to 31% today through targeted efforts.
Worldwide, the gender gap in aviation remains a big challenge. Despite many years of effort, women are still underrepresented in important roles like pilots, engineers, and managers in this field. The ‘Girls Can Fly’ initiative is part of a global effort to close this gap. Through hands-on experiences, mentorship, financial assistance, policy changes, and strong visibility, it aims to show girls what is possible—and help them build skills for a future in aviation.
The Gender Gap in Aviation: Why It Exists
Let’s start with the facts. Today, women make up about 41–42% of the overall aviation workforce. At first, this number may sound encouraging. However, once you look closer at technical positions, the numbers drop sharply. Only about 4–5% of airline pilots or technical employees like air traffic controllers and airplane technicians are women. This gap is even wider in certain countries or regions.
Leadership roles in aviation tell a similar story. In 2020, women held just 24% of senior roles. Targeted efforts have improved this number, lifting it to around 31% today. This shift is due to serious company efforts to recruit and support more women for top jobs.
But why are these numbers so low, especially among technical roles? One reason starts early in life. Research shows that young girls are much less likely to dream of becoming pilots or engineers when compared to boys. This difference appears in childhood and often continues through school and into adulthood. Some of the main reasons include:
- Lack of role models: If girls don’t see women flying planes, fixing airplanes or leading teams, many believe it’s simply not “for them.”
- Few opportunities to try: Many girls never get to step into a cockpit, take a lesson, or speak with female pilots.
- Community expectations: Sometimes, communities or families encourage boys into technical fields more than girls.
These barriers have a snowball effect. If girls don’t see it, they often don’t believe they can be it, and the cycle repeats.
The ‘Girls Can Fly’ Initiative: A Multi-Part Solution
The ‘Girls Can Fly’ initiative was created to break this cycle. The main goal is clear: give girls and young women experiences and support so they can see—and reach—their dreams in aviation. Let’s look at how the initiative and similar programs work.
Outreach Events & Hands-On Experiences
Girls need to see and touch the world of aviation to picture themselves in it. That’s why “Girls Can Fly” and similar events are so important. For example, each year in Ontario, girls take part in activities such as short discovery flights, where they can sit in the pilot’s seat and even help guide the plane under supervision. Meeting and talking with female pilots in person helps young girls understand this career is open to them.
These events do more than just entertain. They also break down the idea that aviation is a man’s world. Events like Women Of Aviation Worldwide (WOAW) Week have reached over half a million women and girls across more than 75 countries since 2010. During this week—including International Women’s Day in March—airports and aviation companies invite girls to try out different roles. They might fly a simulator, tour a control tower, or talk to engineers who build and fix planes.
The chance to experience these jobs can spark big dreams. For many, this is their first real taste of aviation.
Mentorship & Representation
Starting a new career is easier with a guide. Organized mentorship programs connect girls with women already working as pilots, air traffic controllers, or engineers. By having regular conversations and sharing advice, mentors can help girls walk the often tricky path through technical training and early jobs.
Another strategy is to bring female pilots and engineers into schools. When students see women in roles like captain or maintenance chief, the “typical” image of these jobs begins to change. Schools and community groups also highlight stories of success, showing that girls from all backgrounds can reach the top of aviation.
Financial Support & Education Access
Learning to fly or getting a technical license can be expensive. The cost of flight lessons and technical school is one of the biggest reasons many young women give up on the dream.
That’s why the ‘Girls Can Fly’ initiative, along with groups like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States 🇺🇸, provides scholarships and grants meant just for girls interested in aviation. These scholarships often cover the basics, like flight training, exams, and certification. Some major airlines—including United Airlines and its Aviate Academy—work with schools and professional groups to offer paid training for female students, so they can focus on learning without worrying as much about the financial side.
Programs like these open doors that might have stayed shut, and help reach girls from families with limited resources.
Cultural Change & Policy Advocacy
Changing policies and company cultures is important to keep women in aviation, especially after they start families. Many leave their jobs because they can’t find flexible hours or good childcare. Companies that support things like job-sharing, flexible schedules, or remote work (where possible) help talented women stay on their career track. Reducing the “motherhood penalty”—where women’s careers slow down or even stop when they have children—is a key goal.
Another step is better data. By collecting clear information on how many women are applying for, getting, and staying in aviation jobs, companies can set real targets. They can track what works and make changes when needed. This helps move the conversation from “good intentions” to real progress.
Measurable Results So Far
All these efforts have made a difference, but progress remains slow. Here are some recent comparisons:
- In the past, about 3.6% of pilots worldwide were women. Now, it’s about 4.0%.
- Technical jobs (like pilots, air traffic controllers, and maintenance) held by women have risen from 4.5% to 5.1%.
- For high-level leadership roles, women now hold about 31%, up from 24% just a few years ago.
These changes may sound small, but each jump means more women breaking barriers and inspiring others. Data from organizations such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) confirm these trends.
Even so, most technical jobs in aviation are still filled by men. That’s why initiatives like ‘Girls Can Fly’ are crucial. Every small step can slowly push the industry toward bigger, lasting change.
Why Gender Balance in Aviation Matters
Closing the gender gap brings many benefits. First, it’s the right thing to do—everyone, no matter their gender, should have the same chance to chase their dreams. But the benefits go beyond fairness.
The aviation industry faces serious pilot shortages in many countries. Fewer young people are entering the field, and many pilots are approaching retirement. By encouraging more girls to become pilots, engineers, and leaders, the industry can tap into a bigger pool of talent.
Diversity also brings new ways of thinking. If everyone comes from the same background, they may solve problems the same way. A mix of voices—men and women, people from different places—can help keep the skies safer and spark new ideas in technology and safety.
Christine Ourmières-Widener, a well-known leader in aviation, says it well: “Young women cannot be what they cannot see… Through [initiatives like] Girls Can Fly… we are committed to showing women they can fly high—whatever it is they want to do.”
Next Steps: Making the Skies More Equal
To bring about real change, it’ll take a team effort:
- Companies need to keep investing in events and scholarships that help girls see aviation as a real career choice.
- Schools and families can encourage girls’ interest in math and science—skills needed for these roles.
- Existing professionals (both men and women) can mentor and support new female hires.
- Airlines and governments can track progress and set clear goals for hiring and promotion, so no one group is left behind.
Making sure more girls—and especially girls from underrepresented communities—hear about programs like ‘Girls Can Fly’ is vital.
The Global Connection
The movement is not limited to just one place. Organizations in over 75 countries now take part in similar outreach, especially during events like WOAW Week. Airports, aviation colleges, and airlines often use this time to open their doors, run free sessions, and share materials that explain different aviation careers.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, these global networks learn from each other and share what works, scaling up the most effective programs. This way, girls in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas all get opportunities to “see it to be it”—no matter where they live.
For more details on industry efforts and official data, you can visit the International Civil Aviation Organization’s page on gender equality.
Conclusion: The Sky Really Is the Limit
Aviation has existed for over a century, and for most of that time, it has been seen as a man’s world. But change, though sometimes slow, is clearly happening. By supporting girls through events, mentorship, funding, policy, and the simple power of visibility, the ‘Girls Can Fly’ initiative is helping rewrite old rules. The gender gap in aviation will not close overnight, but steady progress shows that efforts are not wasted.
If you are a young woman—or know one—who dreams of flying or fixing planes, remember that the path is slowly getting smoother, thanks in large part to caring communities and projects like ‘Girls Can Fly.’ Their work makes it more likely that the next generation of leaders will be powered by skill, ambition, and a belief that anything is possible when the right doors are open.
For more resources on how to apply for scholarships, meet female aviation mentors, or join upcoming outreach events, check with your local airport, aviation organizations in your country, or dedicated pages like those of WOAW and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
By keeping these efforts in focus, the industry can keep moving forward — and soon, seeing women in every part of aviation will be the norm, not the exception.
Learn Today
Gender gap → The persistent difference in opportunities between men and women, such as in aviation careers like pilots and engineers.
Mentorship → Guidance provided by experienced professionals to help newcomers, especially young women, enter and advance in aviation fields.
Technical positions → Roles in aviation requiring specialized technical skills, like pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, and maintenance technicians.
Scholarships → Financial assistance awarded to help students or trainees afford education and training, often used in pilot or technical certification programs.
Leadership roles → Senior positions within organizations, such as managers or executives, where decision-making power and influence are significant.
This Article in a Nutshell
Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in aviation’s technical fields. The ‘Girls Can Fly’ initiative addresses this challenge through mentorship, scholarships, outreach, and policy change. Efforts are increasing women’s participation and leadership slowly, inspiring new generations and paving the way toward a more inclusive, balanced, and innovative aviation industry future.
— By VisaVerge.com
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