There was encouragement for women and girls to make a difference in society through Scientific Knowledge At the celebration of the Eighth International Day of Women and Girls in Science in Accra.
At the celebration of the Eighth International Day of Women and Girls in Science in Accra, Dr Rose Omari, Deputy Director of CSIR-STEPRI, encouraged women and girls to use science to make a positive impact in society. By sharing scientific knowledge and skills with their families and communities, they can help solve societal problems.
The day was organized by the Ministry of Education, the Ghana Education Service, and UNESCO, with the goal of promoting equal access and participation in science for women and girls. The theme for this year was “Innovate, Demonstrate, Elevate, Advance, and Sustain (I.D.E.A.S.)” and focused on the role of women and girls in science in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr Omari highlighted the need for more women in STEM careers and called for investment in education and skills training, as well as improved working conditions, to drive technological advancements. Mr Stephen Kwaku Owusu, Acting Deputy Director-General of CSIR-STEPRI, emphasized the importance of women and girls in STEM and the role of education in preparing students for 21st-century skills.
Mr Abdourahamane Diallo, the Country Representative of UNESCO, stressed the importance of making science accessible, diverse, inclusive, and open to all, particularly women. According to the latest UNESCO Science Report, only one in three researchers is a woman, and women make up just over 35% of STEM graduates in higher education.
Mrs Olivia Serwaa Opare, the Director of Science Education Unit at the Ghana Education Service, acknowledged the achievements of women in science and praised the role of mothers as scientists. She saluted women in various fields, including zoology, engineering, and education, for their contributions to the field of science.