By Ann Mumbi

Girls are encouraged to take science and mathematics subjects to tap into huge career opportunities in the future.

Speaking during the International celebrations of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science hosted at Tumutumu Girls on Sunday, 11^th February 2024, CEMASTEA together with Women in the STEM field appealed to players in the education sector and women in STEM to mentor girls.

Kenya Urban Roads Authority(KURA) Director of planning and development, Eng Jacinta Mwangi said that many girls in Kenya are steering clear of the science careers due to lack of continuous mentorship and lack of support from their parents to pursue sciences. According to her “Many girls are still not getting into these spaces so there is a need for continuous mentorship about the importance of mathematics and science. Even as we are talking to these girls it is also important for parents to be reminded that STEM courses are not a preserve of men,” Eng Jacinta said.

Regional Manager of Zizi Afrique Foundation Dr. Purity Ngina, said that according to the statistics, a lot of careers in the 21st century are in Sciences. “Our projections as a country is that 60 per cent of our workforce will be in STEM and that is why the government is guiding us towards STEM courses and it will be wrong for girls to be left behind,” Dr Ngina said. She urged girls to take up science and mathematics-related careers adding that science subjects will allow them to fit into the competitive job market. “Skills in STEM will play an important role in the jobs of the future. We need to invest this opportunity to ensure young women have the right skills for these jobs,” she noted.

 CEMASTEA CEO, Madam Jacinta L. Akatsa, represented by Madam Beatrice Macharia who coordinates the Special Programme and Student learning at CEMASTEA encouraged more girls to pursue science and mathematics subjects. ‘CEMASTEA’, she said, has a mission to promote STEM education and to promote gender equality in STEM education. In order to achieve this, the Centre has put in place a variety of strategies. Some of the strategies include the STEM outreach programmes in schools and school visits to the Centre.

Learners at Tumu Tumu girls following the discussions

Learners displaying a customised poster during the international day for women and girls in science

Ivy Waithera a form four student at the school said that she had picked three sciences Chemistry, as she wants to take a course in Biotechnology. “I urge my fellow girl to embrace STEM subjects as they have numerous job opportunities to fill the gaps of engineers,” the student added

February 11, International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an annual observance that celebrates the achievements and contributions of women and girls in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).  This is a day dedicated to promoting gender equality in STEM fields and encouraging more women and girls to pursue careers in science and technology and to break historical barriers and stereotypes in the field. 

Read other published articles on the same:

• https://www.kenyanews.go.ke/embrace-science-related-careers-girls-urged/#:~:text=Women%20working%20in%20the%20field,into%20the%20competitive%20job%20market
• https://nairobireview.africa/girls-urged-take-science-mathematics-related-careers/
• https://teachersupdates.net/girls-urged-to-embrace-science-related-careers/