As Rwanda joins the rest of the world to mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science (IDWGIS), it is significant to note that a lot has been done to help females pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers although their number is still considered low.
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The day is celebrated every year on February 11.
It aims to connect the international community to women and girls in science while strengthening the ties between science, policy, and society for strategies oriented towards the future.
According to a recent data by the UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UIS), less than 30 per cent of the world’s researchers are women. Numerous studies also found that women in STEM fields publish less, are paid less for their research, and do not progress as far as men in their careers.
This highlights the gender gap in the fields.
According to Marie Chantal Cyulinyana, a science and technology foresight analyst at the National Council for Science and Technology (NCST), to bridge the gender gap in STEM fields in Rwanda, a multi-faceted approach that addresses both the systemic and cultural barriers that women face is needed.
She noted that one of the ways is to encourage more girls to pursue STEM education through programs that introduce girls to related fields at an early age.
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Cyulinyana said that women in STEM can also benefit from having mentors who provide guidance, advice and support as they progress in their careers. This, she explained, can include access to networking opportunities and sponsorship programs that help them advance.
"It&039;s important to address the pay disparities that exist between men and women in STEM fields. This can be done through regular salary reviews and by making sure that women are paid equally for their work,” Cyulinyana added.
Cyulinyana urged young girls to pursue science careers, believing in themselves and their abilities.
"Science is not just for anyone. It is for everyone, including you. Never let anyone tell you that science is not for girls or that you can't be good at it. Women and girls have made important contributions to science throughout history and continue to do so today. You too can be a part of this legacy of discovery and innovation,” she said.
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As part of her message on International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion Jeannette Bayisenge, said: "By empowering women and girls to participate in science, we are not only improving the lives of individual women and girls, but also benefit society as a whole."
"We can look forward to a future where women and girls are represented at all levels of the scientific enterprise, and where the contributions of women and girls are valued.”
Jennifer Batamuliza, a lecturer at the University of Rwanda, said that some people, including parents, still treat girls as less capable compared to boys due to beliefs about gender roles which deter girls from pursuing STEM careers.
Batamuliza, who is also the Vice President of the Rwanda Association of Women in Science and Engineering (RAWISE), is also aware that some girls lack confidence. This results from not being trusted by their male colleagues, and society at large, when pursuing science-related fields.
As a PhD holder in data mining, she noted that being confident and hardworking as well as consulting role models and not giving up on her dreams helped her throughout her career.
Batamuliza believes that supporting mentorship initiatives, educating people on gender equality and removing age limits for women to get scholarships to pursue high level education degrees can help in increasing the number of girls and women in science and in decision-making positions.
Angeline Akimana who is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Physics was influenced by different teachers and mentors to pursue the science subject. She believes that having women mentors going to high schools to inspire young girls can become a paradigm shift in enrolling more women in STEM.