Africa
EXPERTS have warned that Africa risks losing half of its brightest minds to slow innovation adoption and persistent gender inequality without intentional and early intervention.
The experts, including educators and industry leaders, gave the warning in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja.
They noted that the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) begins early and must be addressed at that stage.
They, therefore, called for urgent multi-faceted interventions to address these barriers and create inclusive ecosystems where every girl could thrive in science and technology.
One of them, a school proprietor, Mrs Aisha Ahmad, said data had shown that women made up less than 30 per cent of the STEM workforce in Nigeria.
Ahmad, who is also a graduate of computer science, noted that only a few women held leadership or research positions in those fields.
“ Across Nigeria and Africa, the fields of STEM remain disproportionately male-dominated, with women and girls significantly underrepresented in classrooms, research labs, boardrooms, and innovation hubs.
“ Cultural barriers, systemic biases, and limited access to opportunities continue to discourage countless young women from pursuing these paths,’’ she said.
She said that, although STEM professionals were in high demand, many girls were discouraged from science and mathematics as early as secondary school.
“ Girls are discouraged very early by cultural norms that frame these subjects as “too hard” or “for boys.
“ This is where the problem lies and should be tackled early to create safe learning environment both at home and in schools,’’ she said.
Also, Dr Amara Okafor, a lecturer of Computer Science and advocate for women in technology, emphasised that encouragement must start long before a young woman chose a career path.
Okafor lectures at Benue State Polytechnic, Gboko.
“ We should not wait until university to tell girls they can be scientists.
“ We need to introduce STEM concepts in primary school through toys, games, and hands-on activities and explicitly tell girls they can also belong here.
“ Your ideas matter. You can build the future. When a six-year-old girl sees herself as an inventor, nothing can stop her later, ‘’ she said.
Okafor also highlighted the need for schools to provide safe, inclusive spaces where girls felt comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and leading projects without fear of being dismissed.
Also, an engineer and technical expert, Ms Zainab Bello, noted that beyond early exposure, representation and mentorship were critical catalysts for change.
‘’When a girl meets a woman engineer, scientist, or technology entrepreneur, someone she looks up to, who shares her background, then everything changes.
‘’There is need for the private and public educational sector to create structured mentorship programmes, internships, and shadowing opportunities that connect secondary school girls with women already working in STEM.
“ When they see our struggles, successes, and daily lives, they will realise the career is not only possible, but it is achievable for them too,’’ she said.
Bello called on media organisations to showcase more women in STEM roles, challenging stereotypes and presenting these careers as exciting, viable options for girls. (NAN)
M.P
Tags: Gender inequality