Without Women, Science, Tech Advancement ‘ll Become Unsustainable-US
…Pledges release of more funds
By Josh Babatunde
The United States of America disclosed in Lagos recently that without women’s inclusive participation, any gains in economic growth and development as well as advances in science and technology would be lopsided and unsustainable.
This statement was made during the ‘Tech women mentoring programme for Nigerian Female Science,Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Leaders in Lagos by the U.S. Consul General John Bray.
According to him, it is therefore, critical that women’s voices, at all levels, find representation in collaborative solutions that will have an impact on them.
“The U.S. government is convinced that when barriers to women’s full participation in STEM fields are removed, women do better, families do better, countries do better, and the world does better. Whether at home or abroad, promoting women in STEM fields is a top priority of the U.S. government”. Adding that the US government is also ready to facilitate and help the project in the women STEM education.
He harped that STEM education is the key foundation for any country’s economic success.
He however,narrated that many young women who pursue studies in STEM at tertiary institutions share stories of being grossly outnumbered by men.
Said he: ” In workplaces, women in STEM fields face discriminatory practices and behaviors from colleagues and supervisors including compensation at lower levels than male counterparts for their labor. They also generally lack opportunities for coaching, mentoring, and growth compared to their male colleagues.
“Sadly, many young women who pursue studies in STEM at tertiary institutions share stories of being grossly outnumbered by men. In workplaces, women in STEM fields face discriminatory practices and behaviors from colleagues and supervisors including compensation at lower levels than male counterparts for their labor. They also generally lack opportunities for coaching, mentoring, and growth compared to their male colleagues”.
At the event, a sixteen member delegation of senior women technology executives and professionals from Silicon Valley, California visited Nigeria to lead this workshop for the purpose of impacting and adding value to the girl-child in the area of “STEM” in which men dominate.
The STEM Entrepreneur hub is created to enable tech women and encourage one another .
