Women power on showcase at World Health Summit, Berlin
Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Lariba Zuweira Abudu, has shared the country’s initiatives aimed at pulling more girls into Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Speaking at the World Health Summit 2023, Global Launch of the Equity 2030 Alliance, in Berlin, Germany, Madam Abudu, whose ministry coordinates the implementation of all programmes related to girls in STEM, mentioned the Girls in ICT as one of the flagship initiatives to arouse the interest of young girls to take up studies in STEM.
She said the programme, which is under the Ministry of Communication, exposes young girls to opportunities existing in the ICT sector through mentorship workshops and open day programmes to encourage them to consider professions in the sector which is perceived to be male dominated.
She further mentioned that deliberate measures are being taken to bridge the gender digital gap as well as meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4- Quality Education.
She further noted that the Girls in STEM programme targeted at young females in the tertiary level have been launched to encourage girls’ participation in STEM education and careers.
“These initiatives include scholarships, mentorship programmes, and awareness campaigns aimed at challenging gender stereotypes and biases,” she added.
Madam Abudu also highlighted the establishment and improvement of science and technology laboratories in schools across the country.
“Scholarships and grants are provided to support students pursuing STEM-related courses at higher educational institutions and the Ministry of Education organises campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of STEM education and to inspire students to pursue STEM careers,” she said.
“In addition, scholarships are given to girls to pursue technical trades (TVET) that are usually the preserve of boys. Also, quotas are given to girls in the university admissions to enable more girls enroll in science and technology,” she noted, adding, “Girls from one of our Senior High Schools in Ghana have shown the way by winning the World Robotics and Coding competition for two consecutive times.”
In terms of partnerships, Madam Abudu said the government collaborates with the private sector and non-governmental organisations to promote STEM and give support to STEM through funding and scholarships for girls at the higher institutions level, mentorship programmes, making deliberate efforts to sponsor females to innovation workshops and making resources available for creativity and innovation.
“Ghana is a long-standing partner of the UNFPA and we stand with the UNFPA and its partners to mobilise global support and actions to close the gender equality gaps in science, technology and financing to empower women and girls,” she said.
She, however, emphasised that achieving gender equality in STEM fields is crucial for harnessing the full potential of the workforce and promoting innovation and economic growth.
“We can however achieve the desired goal if we make a deliberate effort as we are doing now by having this conversation. Ensure Data Collection and Monitoring, analysing data on gender disparities in STEM education is essential to track progress and identify areas that need additional attention and intervention,” she stressed.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri