In a concerted effort to address the persistent gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, women leaders are being called upon to mentor young girls and inspire them to pursue careers traditionally dominated by men. This call to action was a central theme at an International Women’s Day event hosted by Davis & Shirtliff’s Women in Leadership initiative in Nairobi, where industry leaders emphasized the critical need for greater female representation in STEM.

The event, themed ‘Accelerate Action,’ underscored the urgency of achieving gender parity in STEM. Despite notable progress, many girls still shy away from these fields due to pervasive stereotypes, inadequate support systems, and a lack of visible role models. A UNESCO study highlights this disparity, revealing that only 35% of students enrolled in STEM-related courses in Kenya are women, with a mere 14% in natural sciences and 13% in engineering.

During the International Women's Day event, employers in STEM fields were urged to implement policies that actively promote equal opportunities for women and eliminate biases in the workplace. These measures are deemed essential to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in these industries. Industry leaders expressed optimism that the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) will contribute to closing the gender gap. Under the CBC, a significant 60% of students entering Grade 10 will be placed in STEM courses.

Margaret Kuchio, general manager at Davis & Shirtliff and leader of the company’s Women in Leadership initiative, stated, “If properly implemented, this strategy will ensure more girls pursue STEM careers.” Davis & Shirtliff has been proactively fostering gender inclusivity, with a notable number of its engineers being women. The company’s Women in Leadership initiative, launched in 2022, pairs senior female staff with mentees, leveraging storytelling as a powerful tool to inspire and nurture leadership skills. This initiative aims to provide young women with the guidance and support they need to overcome challenges and excel in their chosen fields.

Esther Omulele, Managing Partner and Head of the Commercial and Property Division at MMC Asafo, emphasized the responsibility of women professionals in STEM to mentor the next generation. “Every woman professional—be it an engineer, scientist, or technologist—has a responsibility to mentor the next generation. You are a leader in your own right,” she said. Omulele cited data from the Engineers Board of Kenya, which indicates that out of 21,700 registered engineering graduates, fewer than 3,500 are women. This stark statistic underscores the significant underrepresentation of women in engineering and highlights the urgent need for mentorship and support to encourage more women to enter and thrive in the field.

The collective call to action emphasizes that targeted mentorship programs and inclusive workplace policies are crucial to accelerate progress towards gender parity in STEM, empowering young women to pursue careers in these vital fields.