Celebrating the 8th annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Posted on February 8, 2023

In order to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the University of Namibia joined forces with the Spanish Embassy, Omeva Consulting and in close cooperation with the Namibia Association for Women in Science (NAAWIS) and the Organisation for Women for the Developing World (OWSD) Namibia National Chapter, and hosted a series of events to celebrate this occasion with the aim of attracting young girls science and enlightening university students about the possible career paths in STEM.

On the 8th and 9th of February, the organisers hosted youth science camps at the University of Namibia’s Neudamm and Main Campuses, respectively. This was aimed at giving a taste to the group of 40 girls between the ages of 14-16 years old from A Shipena Secondary School and Mount View High School on various careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. For that, the organisers prepared a broad range of interactive activities such as chilli bites and sausages making, silage making, biochemical experiments, farm and laboratory visits and inspirational speeches as well as product demos. The girls learned about mushroom production and processing, textile manufacturing, dairy and food industry, health sciences, among others. The girls were not only introduced to the different careers in science but also shown the tasks and responsibilities the scientists have and requirements to get admissions in various science courses at UNAM and NUST.

On the 10th of February, a round table discussion was hosted at the Main Campus in PK1 Lecture Hall. The event was attended by female students and teachers from the above-mentioned schools, as well as Lecturers and Students from NUST, UNAM, and members of the media. Early in the morning, Ms Maria de la Puerta from Omeva Consulting and Ms Rachel Amoomo from OWSD Namibia National Chapter had the pleasure to advance some information on the round table at Good Morning Namibia. The participants of the round table were Dr. Theopoline Omagano Amushendje, Molecular Geneticist at UNAM and Chairperson for the OWSD Namibia National Chapter, Dr. Lydia Horn, a Plant Breeder at UNAM, Mrs. Maria Luisa de la Puerta, a Biotechnologist and CEO for Omeva Consulting, Mrs. Anna Nguno, a Geologist at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ms. Begona Garcia Crespo, an Engineer at Burmainster and Associates and Ms. Rachel Amoomo, a Civil Engineer at Roads Authority.

Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Theopoline Omagano Amushendje, who gave a motivational and engaging speech. She went further and presented 2014 statistics from UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UIS), that only 39% of total researchers were women in Namibia. She further explained that while the gender balance in academic science at undergraduate level is now about equal, perhaps up to masters level in Namibia, women are under-represented in senior STEM positions or the upper levels of these professions. She gave Statistics that UNAM Senate had 25 Full Professors in 2018, and they were all male. Out of the 24 Associate professors that were members of UNAM Senate in 2018, only four were females (16%) to emphasise the need to bridge the gender gap in STEM nationally and globally, especially at the top leadership levels.

The keynote address for the event was given by Prof Anicia Peters, who opened with a quote by Dr. James Immaunel, one of the greatest African educators of the 19 century who said “Educate a man you educate an individual but if you educate a woman you educate a nation.” This quote means that empowering women economically through education often yields positive results that affect communities in bigger and more enduring ways. Her speech was centred at enlightening and interesting the attendants in edge cutting technologies such as Modern Biotechnology, Artificial Intelligence and green hydrogen, the need for female professionals in these areas.

During the roundtable discussion the moderator, Beatha Tangi, from the cultural section of the Spanish Embassy brought up many key points and topics that directly relate to women in STEM. Firstly, the panel highlighted some of the challenges that women in STEM faced which included access to equal opportunities and promotion. However, the panel focused more on the various ways that the presence of women in STEM enhances the fields, reinforcing the points made earlier by the keynote speaker. The panel pointed out that bringing women into these fields leads to diversity, which results in considerations and contributions that promote positive outcomes for many.

Participants of the round table offered the attendees of the event and more specifically the girls advice and words of inspiration in regards to the pursuit of careers in science. Firstly, Maria Luisa de la Puerta Fernandéz, a Biotechnologist and CEO of Omeva Consulting used this platform to encourage the girls to apply for scholarships and funding opportunities, as in her experience there are always opportunities and a way to pursue your dream career. Rachel Amoomo who is a Civil Engineer in the Maintenance Division of the Roads Authority encouraged the girls to have the right attitude, be solution oriented, get involved as well as put themselves out there. Another panellist, Mrs. Anna Nguno, a Geologist at the Ministry of Mines and Energy, advised the attendees to study geology if they love science, the outdoors and travel and delighted us with many nice experiences of her profession. Molecular Geneticist from UNAM, Dr. Theopoline Omagano Amushendje advised the learners to be disciplined, work hard and smart, if they hope to achieve much in life. She also encouraged them to respect their teachers and parents and stay focussed. Another panellist also from UNAM, Dr. Lydia Horn who is a Plant Breeder, and the Coordinator at ZERI advised the girls to play to their strengths by being honest with themselves and people around them about what they are truly passionate about and would like to achieve. Lastly, the audience got to hear from Ms. Begoña García, a Civil Engineer from Burmeister and Partners Consulting Engineers, who reminded the girls that their gender only mattered in the first few minutes of meeting their colleagues and that their work would speak for itself in the long run, so they should be focused on their performance instead.

The round table discussion also included an interactive Q&A session, where the girls had the opportunity to ask the panelists questions about their careers, challenges, and achievements. This session was particularly inspiring as it allowed the girls to gain personal insights and practical advice from successful women in various STEM fields. The panelists shared stories of their own journeys, highlighting the importance of perseverance, continuous learning, and the willingness to take on challenges. They emphasized that while the path to a career in STEM can be demanding, it is also immensely rewarding and filled with opportunities for growth and impact.

In addition to the discussions, the event featured several hands-on workshops and demonstrations led by female scientists and engineers. These activities were designed to spark curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of scientific concepts. The girls participated in experiments, technology demonstrations, and problem-solving exercises that showcased the real-world applications of STEM. These interactive sessions not only provided a fun and engaging learning experience but also helped the girls to see themselves as future scientists, engineers, and innovators. The workshops aimed to build confidence and enthusiasm for pursuing STEM careers, reinforcing the message that women and girls have a vital role to play in advancing science and technology.

Finally, the Deputy Head of Mission for the Spanish Embassy in Namibia, Mrs. Emilia Celemín Redondo, used this opportunity to highlight the similarities in the issues that women in STEM and women in diplomacy face, and added that the Spanish Embassy has a vested interest in working towards overcoming these issues and offered their support to give women in these areas visibility and opportunities. Lastly, she urged women to join hands and to uplift and support each other nationally and internationally.

Overall the event and the youth camps were a resounding success and all parties involved are delighted to contribute to the empowerment and education of girls and women in STEM.