13022020

Vanguard, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 — 23
Women and Girls in Science: Equal access to and
participation in science is key, say stakeholders
•UN says SGD5 will increase participation of women and girls in STEM
•Experts, lecturer, students decry low involvement
Girls in Science on duty
By Ebunoluwa Sessou &
Oreoluwa Somuyiwa
FEBRUARY 11 was cele
brated as the United
Nations International Day of
Women and Girls in Science.
The focus is geared towards
ensuring full and equal access
to and participation in
science for women and girls.
When the resolution was
adopted by the UN General
Assembly on December 22,
2015, it was expected that the
participation of women and
girls in science and technology
will be increased especially
with the United Nations
Sustainable Development
Goal, SDG5, which focuses in
achieving gender equality
and empower all women and
girls.The SDG5 is proposed to
end all forms of discrimination
against all women and girls
everywhere. Women and
girls, everywhere, must have
equal rights and opportunity.
Women’s equality and empowerment
is one of the 17 Sustainable
Development Goals, but
also integral to all dimensions
of inclusive and sustainable
development. In short, all the
SDGs depend on the achievement
of Goal 5.
To this end, gender equality
by 2030 requires urgent action
to eliminate the many root
causes of discrimination that
still curtail women’s rights in
private and public spheres. For
example, discriminatory laws
need to change and legislation
adopted to proactively advance
equality.
Getting the views of some of
students especially girls on the
significance of the day, those
who spoke with WO expressed
divergent views as well as their
expectations.
According to Blessing
Ojikare, a student of Chemistry
in the Lagos State University,
LASU, women need to be
more courageous to take on
science courses. “Science is
not a place for babies so, getting
girls who are fully ready
to take up high courses in science
are few and I think that
is the major challenge. If women
are encouraged, they will
take over the science world if
we are fully ready”.
In her view, Adeniyi Semilore,
a student of Biochemistry
who told that, the day is an
avenue to recognize and motivate
the participation of female
gender in the development
of science observed that
the reason the present percentage
of female taking up
courses in science is low is on
the premise that, most women
want to become self employed,
thereby preferring
management courses to science
related courses. Adding
that the percentage might not
be higher in the next 10 years
compared to what is happening
now. Even those in science
department end up becoming
entrepreneurs after their graduation.
Another student of Botany,
Deborah Omodunni, said, “I
do not see ladies embrace science
compared to boys. I think
it depends on family background,
mentality and personal
vision. Even in industries,
the population of men is
higher than women, therefore,
I feel the day is a step in the
right direction so as encourage
women and girls to participate
more in science because
I see smart girls everywhere.
A lecturer of the Department
of Botany, Lagos State University,
Mrs Ebunoluwa Ajose, in
her view explained that, “The
current percentage of girls in
the science faculty is within
the range of 40 and 60 percent.
Although this can be increased
compared to the
present percentage as their
performances are improving
daily.
On the challenges involved
in getting women take their
place in science she said,
“Getting good and dedicated
girls in sciences is not very
common. Most of these girls
find themselves in science either
by force or chance but not
by choice.
“Therefore, it is the responsibility
of all stakeholders to increase
the pace of teaching
and impacting knowledge into
the students, making them develop
a mindset that they can
actually succeed in science.
“Despite all these, there is a
conviction that there will be
great improvement in the nearest
future considering the eagerness
on the parts of some
women and girls to take up the
acclaimed masculine profession.
Limitation on productivity
and opportunity
In his contribution, Mr.
Tope Fashua, an Economist
and former Presidential candidate
in a chat with WO explained
that, “The day signifies
a focus on women and
girls and it is very important
especially for African countries
and Nigeria in particular
even as we have held
women and girls down for too
long.
He lamented that, the productivity
and opportunity of
women and girl have been
limited especially in the area
of science.
Women Smarter than Men
“My personal opinion is that
women are smarter than
men. If you go to primary and
secondary schools, you will
see that girls are doing better
than boys but then, something
happens at some point
and that advantage goes
down.
Government at all levels
should know that involvement
of women and girls is
very low and it is very unfortunate.
Naturally girls are
more organized then boys
and they are able to learn
faster and better.
Aims to end bias
In his speech, the UN Secretary-General,
António
urged all to end bias and
support greater investments
in science, technology, engineering
and math education
for all women and girls as
well as opportunities for their
careers and longer-term professional
advancement so
that all can benefit from their
ground-breaking future contributions,”
Women in Science on duty
Fewer Women in Science
According to a study from
14 countries, the probability
for female students graduating
with a Bachelor’s degree
in science is 18 percent, while
the male equivalent is 37percent.
The resolution states that
women continue to be excluded
from participating fully
in the economy even
though representing half of
the world’s population and
that women have a vital role
to play and a right to participate
in sustainable development
policies, programs, and
decision-making at all levels.
STEM
Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics,
STEM, is a term that is often
used when referring to
the academic disciplines of
science. STEM education
starts with young pupils in a
blended learning environment,
and the curriculum
shows students how the scientific
method can be applied
to everyday life. It is often
aimed to attract women and
girls.
Encouragement for
girls in primary and
secondary schools
In his own contribution,
Fashua said, girls should be
encouraged at the primary
and secondary school levels,
if the world is made of 50 percent
men and 50 percent
women, it will be a taboo to
deliberately minimize the
contribution of all gender.
You have to ensure that, you
maximize all gender. Education
is required so that people
will discrimination
against girls and women.
Even in the instances that
parents believe that only
boys should be trained in academics.
Science and Technology
is central especially
with the situation of this
country.