The mantra “we need more girls and women in STEM” might now sound like a broken record, but the reality is with the demand for greater innovation and new diverse perspectives continues to grow daily, whilst the world keeps evolving at a fast pace.- the fact remains “we need more girls and women in STEM.
STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Why include more girls and women in STEM, you may ask? Well for starters, more women in the science, sector means more female voices and contributions in the medical and research fields that could also aid in advocating for women’s health rights. While also being part of the decision-makers, when it comes to medical issues that directly affect women.
These issues include female genital mutilation (FGM) in some African socio-cultural and religious facets. A practice, in which a sequence of procedures is carried out on the female genitalia, including the total or partial removal of external parts of the genitalia not for medical reasons.
It is, however, important to note that not only does including women in STEM help the medical community but the population as a whole. In terms of creating more innovation that caters to the entire population through diverse perspectives in the science and technology communities.
According to the Computer Society in an article about Women In STEM: Bridging the gender gap. Through related research, it has been proven that women are far less likely to graduate or pursue a career in STEM compared to their male counterparts.
Furthermore, showing the need to support and encourage more women to study or seek employment in STEM fields. How? You may also ask. By removing the stigma around STEM careers that imply that only men have the strength to work in jobs like engineering or brains to discover and experiment with new scientific research.
Moreover, by teaching our African daughters that they can pursue any career in STEM if they decide to, marriage and starting a family is not their only destiny. This all stems from the practice of buying boys mechanical and digital toys, while girls are given doll houses and Barbie dolls. Although nothing is wrong with owning such dolls, it is the idea that we implant on our children from a tender age that is important.
Excluding our African women and girls from STEM is excluding half of the entire African population, from exhibiting potential viewpoints that could aid the growth of the African economy and community.
To read more on the importance of including girls and women in STEM or the digitalisation of the African education system. Kindly subscribe to the #Ruhusiwa #GirlsAllowed magazine here
By Takudzwa Nduku