Accra: The Women in Engineering (WiNE) wing of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) is embarking on a nationwide drive to demystify Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) as a traditionally male-dominated field, aiming to inspire young girls to pursue careers in these areas. The group recently engaged with students at the Ofankor Municipal Assembly Basic School, encouraging them to consider engineering as a viable career path.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event, held at the school's premises in the Awutu Senya East Municipal Assembly in the Central Region of Ghana, included a donation of menstrual pads to support the students' menstrual health. The outreach featured a variety of activities, such as sessions on the career prospects within engineering and educational talks on personal hygiene from medical professionals.
This initiative is part of an annual nationwide program that has been running for seven years across various ECG regions, including Western, Ashanti, Central, and Accra, with plans to potentially expand it to twice a year. Engineer Benedicta Mensah, Programmes Committee Chair for WiNE, ECG Chapter, highlighted the prevailing cultural myth of engineering being a male preserve as a significant barrier for women. She emphasized the importance of changing this perception and making the field more accessible to women.
Engr. Mensah pointed out that technological advancements have made engineering more accessible, reducing the physical demands traditionally associated with the field and focusing more on intellectual capabilities. She reassured students that mathematics, a cornerstone of engineering, is not as daunting as perceived and is applicable in everyday life.
According to UNESCO, women represent only 35 percent of all students enrolled in STEM-related fields globally, with even lower female enrollment in engineering, manufacturing, and construction, often below 25 percent. Although Ghana has made strides in general education parity, the transition of women into STEM careers remains low. Data from Ghana's National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA) indicates that gender gaps in performance and interest in mathematics and science become apparent at the upper primary and Junior High School levels.
Mrs. Perpetual Nyarko, Headteacher of the school, praised the initiative, noting its potential benefits for the students. She stated that the donation of sanitary pads would help keep girls in school during their menstrual cycles, complementing government efforts. She also noted that the career guidance session could help alleviate the fear of mathematics and science among female students by presenting successful role models in the field.
