#Women In Science

-
“I hadn’t been aware that there were doors closed to me until I started knocking on them.”- Gertrude Elion
The lack of female representation in Science is problematic.  On February 11 the United Nations along with the international community commemorates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.  Despite the fact that women represent half of the world’s population a United Nations survey concluded that the probability of female students graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in science is 18 per cent, compared to 37 per cent for males. The theme this year is “Investment in Women and Girls in Science for Inclusive Green Growth.” As a society we absolutely rejoice that more girls are attending school than at any other time in our history, yet we must be concerned that girls continue to be under-represented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).  According to the United Nations less than thirty per cent of researchers globally are women.  On International Day of Women and Girls in Science we need to do more for girls to see themselves as researchers and scientists. We need to ensure that in the diagrams and picture illustrations used in textbooks girls are equally represented.
Process of Empowerment
Empowerment is a process and as such our girls need to be empowered through science education in order to view science as viable career choice.  The society must become proactive and put in place a programme aimed at debunking all those gender stereotypes which have prevented females from traditionally pursuing STEM subjects. In respect of achieving the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals the society needs to guarantee that girls have full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.  According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNDP) a green economy is one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. Bridging the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) is essential for a more sustainable development. There is no gender in science. We must then ask ourselves is there a reason why science and gender equality cannot become best friends? Perhaps as a society and indeed a global community we are in need of a reminder that diversity in research increases the pool of gifted researchers, bringing in new perspectives, talent and creativity hence the need to promote women and girls in science. In the words of Mae Jemison, don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity.  
#WomenInScience

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and/or gender issues.
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Promoting Literacy For A World In Transition

-
Image
Oftentimes we speak about literacy yet, the practicality regarding targeted interventions to support literacy in many educational institutions is hijacked in the politics of education. In the long term both the students and indeed the society suffer the consequences. Literacy ignities creativity and desire. Literacy is that springboard that must propel all students in order for them to navigate their educational journey successfully. Regrettably, without acquiring the tools of literacy one is imprisoned and those around also are serving this sentence. Literacy is a potent tool to eradicate generational poverty. Literacy also serves as a vehicle for social progress and sustainable development. Unfortunately, many societies do not invest as much in literacy skills as they ought to. The Global South oftentimes is burdened by debt repayment to multi-national lending agencies that cut into the budget that should be set aside as an investment in education. The statistic paints a damning pic
Read more

The Psychology Of Dunce

-
Image
The word ‘dunce’ has always had a fixed address in our local lexicon. The summer holidays are now over, yet the narrative associated with the ‘dunce’ labeled knapsacks has carried over into the new academic year. We often underestimate the power and force of our popular culture to our detriment. Gone are the days when teachers were seen as role models for students; there has been a tsunami-like shift in our values and attitudes over the years and this has given rise to a number of sub-cultures many of which are toxic. Many of the social ills of the society are grounded in our painful past of enslavement and colonialization. Unfortunately, the State has been complicit in the promulgation of some of these social problems. Sadly, as a society we have internalized this trauma and as a result generation after generation have had to deal with social problems of various forms in our post-slavery society. Over the decades we have inherited and we have continued to nurture an elitist educati
Read more

Israel Hamas War

-
Image
“Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”- Psalm 121:4. It appears we have been hearing about the Arab/Israeli conflict from time immemorial. However, it is important that some historical and Biblical context be interjected into the narrative in order for a better understanding of this current war. In the Bible, the phrase ‘Promised Land’ refers to a specific region of land that God promised to his chosen people of Israel. God first gave this pledge of land to Abraham saying, “I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, and from the desert to the Euphrates River.” This pledge was reiterated to Abraham’s descendants until the time came for His people to claim their inheritance. Abraham knew that he would not see God’s Promised Land with his own eyes. In fact, God made it clear to him that the land would not be given until four generations had passed, and that his descendants would face the hardship of slavery in Egypt before the
Read more