Employers must focus on encouraging girls to engage in STEM

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This was one of the main conclusions made during a panel discussion a Tech Women Conference held on Friday at…

There is need for deliberate focus programs and initiatives by
There is need for deliberate focus programs and initiatives by educators and employers in both private and public sectors, in both high school and university level, that encourage girls to engage and grow in STEM in order for Kenya to realise the critical human resource base that will help achieve and sustainably drive its vision 2030 initiative.

This was one of the main conclusions made during a panel discussion a Tech Women Conference held on Friday at United States International University (USIU-Africa).

The panel exploring both benefits and challenges that emanate from training and employing female STEM resources involved Dani Ushizima, TechWomen Mentor, Anar Simpson, TechWomen Mentor, Dr. Joy Kiano, Principal Nova Academy, Amb. Prof. Ruthie Rono, DVC Academic Affairs USIU- Africa and Eunice Kariuki, Director of Partnerships Innovation and Capacity.

The conference dubbed as”She believed she could, so she did STEM” was organized by “She Goes Tech, an initiative founded by a Kenyan Tech Women Fellow (2015), Kendi Ntwiga in collaboration with USIU-Africa Alumni Association, Chaired by Dolly Sagwe Onyon.

The conference brought together high school girls and teachers, university and college girls and faculty, private and public sector employers of STEM resources in Kenya.

Over 600 people gathered at the conference were honored by the presence of key representatives of the Tech Women Program, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, formed to empower, connect and support the next generation of women leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by providing them access and opportunity to advance their careers, pursue their dreams, and become role models for women and girls in their communities.

The conference sought to follow the journey of the female STEM resource in Kenya from a girl’s early teen years in high school, their move to specialized at university and technical colleges and the eventual support from industry to grow female STEM careers in both private and public sector.

The guest of honor, Dr. Katherine Getao, ICT Secretary (Government of Kenya), confirmed government’s position on promoting STEM by quoting the ICT Minister Joe Mucheru’s speech where she mentioned that the Government is implementing a Digital program that will introduce Kenyans to online work where young people can work and earn an income online.

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