The representation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professions poses challenges in digital transformation as globally, only 57 per cent of women use the internet compared to 63 per cent of men.
This is according to United Nations Resident Coordinator, Hopolang Phororo, who was speaking at the commemoration of International Women’s Day in Swakopmund on Wednesday. She said the knowledge and innovation that girls and women bring from participating in STEM should be applied as from the early childhood development phase up to higher education.
“Gone are the days when science and mathematics were the domain of boys and men. However, this still has to be accompanied with changes in the values and attitudes of teachers, parents and societies at large,” Phororo said.
Meanwhile Women’s Action for Development (WAD) Executive Director, Salatiel Shinedima, emphasised Namibia’s significant strides towards achieving gender equality in recent years, even though a lot of work is still needed in this area.
“While we have made significant progress in advancing women’s rights and opportunities, women continue to face gender-based discrimination, violence and inequality in many parts of the world. Women are also likely to live in poverty and to have limited access to education and healthcare. We therefore all have a role to play in creating a more just and equitable world by challenging gender stereotypes, discriminatory practices and bettering ourselves to be better allies to women,” he said.
He added that Namibia also needs to improve equal economic participation and opportunities, as currently, the country is ranked 20th globally, moving up one place from its ranking in 2021.
“This is an indication that there is still room for improvement in terms of closing the gender gap in labour force participation rate, wage equality and representation in senior management and leadership roles,” he added.
Shinedima however commended Namibia’s strides in the political sphere, noting that the strong representation of women in the sector is in an indication of significant progress in terms of closing the gender gap.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
