Politics

MR Yemi Odutola, External Lead, Women Technology Empowerment Centre (W.TEC) on Saturday,  urged government to prioritise policies promoting gender equality in science and technology related careers.

Odutola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that this was necessary to encourage women and girls.

He said that with only 28 per cent of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) graduates worldwide being female, targeted initiatives were crucial.

According to him, funding for STEM programmes, mentorship, and creating inclusive environments were essential to encourage female participation and bridge the gender gap in STEM.

Odutola said that decisions must be made to cascade policies to ensure that  local level implementation worked.

“The government has to maintain the current level of partnership with the social sector to guarantee continuity of the progress made,  so as to build on the improvements of the current drive.

” So far,  the measures put in place are more from the social sector, which has taken the issue head on in collaboration with International bodies.”

On the challenges affecting the inclusivity of women in STEM, Odutola said, stereotypes, lack of enough role models, low encouragement from schools, access to girls up country and mindsets of parents limited girls and women participation.

According to him, making intentional policies to create more awareness will go a long way to guide a new approach to the issue.

He added that collaboration with the social sector and projecting the successes of women who were doing well,  would inspire a new generation toward STEM.

“Also, having more women in decision making roles will ensure policy by women for women,  which will guarantee more fitting strategies that will resonate with inspiring girls, “he said.(NAN)

9th March, 2024.

C. E.

Tags: FG Yemi Odutola