International Day of Women and Girls in Science was celebrated at the Head Quarter of EAS

Our CEO Kidist Gebreamlak was a panelist at the celebration event of the 8th International Day of Women and Girls in Science celebrated at the Ethiopian Academy of Science headquarters. She presented a paper titled “Current Initiatives to Promote Gender-Transformative STEM”.

The event was organized by the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences (EAS) in collaboration with STEM Power and UNESCO Addis Ababa Liaison Office. At the event, there was an exhibition and panel discussion. Dr. Tibebeselassie Seyoum Keflie, the Deputy Executive Director of EAS, introduced the event program to the participants from different sectors and backgrounds including schools. There is a significant gender gap in the participation of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) academic careers as Tibebeselassie mentioned.

The Panelists were Dr. Aster Tsegaye, Dr. Mitike Molla, Dr. Samuel Partey, and Mrs. Kidist Gebreamlak.

Dr. Aster, Chairperson of the Society of Ethiopian Women in Science and Technology (SEWiST), said that the participation of women in science, research, and social services is less than 30%. She also reiterated the fundamental message ‘’Women need science and science needs women’’.

Dr. Mitike from Addis Ababa University and Mrs. Kidist from Zero One Zero One PLC pointed out that although the number of girls in school is better than ever, women and girls are still underrepresented in STEM fields. Ethiopia has a few female scientists but girls at school can use them as role models, said Dr. Partey.