The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) in partnership with Intel has launched the All Africa Girls science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competition, aimed at increasing female representation in the sectors.
The inaugural competition took place in Nairobi, Kenya on August 13 and 14, and featured a team of 35 female finalists drawn from the 15 African countries where FAWE has a presence.
“The technology sector has recently faced allegations of being a male dominated sector. Partly to blame for the situation is that not many women pick a career path in technology,” said Suraj Shah, Intel’s Africa program director speaking at the event.
“Intel has chosen to be at the forefront of promoting gender balance and female participation in the technology sector, especially in Africa where technology’s contribution to the economy has been growing at a fast pace.”
Countries participating in the competition included Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya – which sent six participants -, Malawi, Mali, Namibia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zanzibar.
The AllAfrica Girls STEM competition hopes to enhance girls’ interest, participation and performance in STEM subjects, and to help girls pursue careers in these fields.
“FAWE has been giving incentives and encouraging girls to actively participate in STEM,” said Martha Muhwezi, senior programme coordinating officer at FAWE’s regional secretariat.
“Initiatives such as the regional competition are a strong incentive for girls in high school where such subjects are commonly perceived as difficult or as male domains. A balanced gender participation in STEMS eventually benefits society by uplifting the economic status of women in the society.”
Intel said the collaboration is in line with the company’s “She Will Connect” programme, which combines digital literacy training, an online peer network, and gender-relevant content; with Intel intending the programme to build an ecosystem of partners to close the gender gap in connectedness.
In addition to bringing together the girl participants, the event also brought together prominent women professionals and scientists, who will provide mentoring and motivational talks to encourage the young girls through sharing their experiences, as well as policy makers calling for the promotion of STEM for girls at national, regional and global levels.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
