Take up science careers, girls urged

Ellah Mukwati Herald Reporter
Government is encouraging schools to set up science clubs for girls so that they enhance their chances of taking up careers in Information and Communications Technology, an official has said.

Officially opening a science camp in the capital on Wednesday, Harare provincial education director Mr Christopher Kateera, said girls were being overlooked in various fields.

“It gives me great joy to officiate at this notable event which seeks to empower the girl child into being able to follow the carrier path which has for long been dominated by boys and men,” he said.

“Now, one of the most concerning trends in regards to women’s presence in the science technology fields is the increasing gender-gap,” he said.

Mr Kateera said the gender-gap in sciences interest had remained steady over the past 20 years.

“I, therefore, hope that through this DiggiGirlz day, every girl present will be motivated to not only take up careers in the ICT sector in a futuristic approach, but also use the skills gained from the hands on training and mentorship session in creating solutions that can solve the problems in their immediate society/environment using technology,” he said.

Mr Kateera said Government’s wish was that every girl had a better understanding of what a career in technology was and also how to take up such.

The board chairperson of Forum for African Women Educationalists Zimbabwe chapter Mrs Irene Mkondo said they had managed to have selected schools set up science clubs for girls, with the aim of encouraging them to take up science subjects at both ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels.

“I particularly want to commend the high school girls present for taking a step in balancing the statistics of the girls versus boys in the field of STEM,” she said. “In light of our desire to bridge the gap between males and females in the STEM field, FAWEZI, in partnership with Microsoft is proud of this event.”

FAWEZI was launched in March 1998 in Zimbabwe and from the time of its founding it has been working to close the gender gap in education at all levels by advocating for education policies and practices that promote gender equality.