In a bid to commemorate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the Special Adviser on Education to Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, Dr. Adetola Ariyike Salau, has appealed for increased empowerment of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Ms. Salau said girls are the future leaders, innovators, and changemakers in the world, yet they face discrimination, inequality, and barriers that hinder their full potential.
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed annually on February 11th to promote the full and equal access and participation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
She made this known during her visits to Government Secondary High School Adeta and Queen Elizabeth Secondary School, both in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
While speaking on the STEM UP KWARA project, she said, “the idea behind this is to make learning more engaging for students and start preparing them for the future.
“A lot of time, there is a disconnect between what they are learning in school and what is needed in the real world. We want to bridge that gap.
“We also want to be able to compete on a global scale, so whether they are here (in the country) or there (abroad), they will be able to compete with their global counterparts. Hence, we need to equip them with the right skills, and we will start from the classroom now. That is, by working and infusing a lot of upskills right now.
“We did the same in Lagos with different international organizations, and we are hopeful to do the same thing here (in Kwara State).
On sustainability, she disclosed that there is a dire need to partner with organizations to sponsor programs on STEM, “we did this in Lagos when we were doing the STEM UP LAGOS program, we partnered with GIZ Nigeria (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) and US Consulate, and they were able to procure equipment, including robots and drones, and we were able to use those in our training for the teachers and the students.”
She emphasized the importance of promoting full and equal access to STEM education for women and girls, challenging discriminatory stereotypes, and addressing factors like gender stereotypes and math anxiety.
Dr. Salau highlighted the achievements of notable women in STEM and encouraged young girls to pursue their dreams, reminding them of their strength, intelligence, and resilience. She underscored the significance of women’s participation in science for sustainable development and called for collective efforts to unlock the full potential of science by tapping into all sources of talent.
Dr. Salau expressed gratitude to those who support and encourage girls in their educational and professional pursuits.
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