Johannesburg – Last year in Cape Town, women in STEM sat down in a “Women in Tech panel” to discuss What it’s like for a woman in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. The panellists shone some light on the challenges women in a STEM environment have to overcome and why women are such an important component in STEM.
According to the UNESCO Statistics, there is a lack of women in the STEM industry in Africa, and South Africa has approximately 40% of women scientists. It is important to promote education among women and girls and to encourage them to get in this field not only because it is one of the highest paying careers but we need more women in STEM for equal representation.
Such panels as the Women in Tech panel are needed for the promotion of STEM education among women and this year, the STEM Conference & Career Expo presents women in STEM, high school pupils, graduates, students and university alumni with career advancement opportunities.
The Africa conference group is changing the narrative in terms of placement of women in the STEM industry. “We are trying to bridge the gap between the shortages of women in STEM and we want more women inventors and researchers, especially women of colour. Our company is made up of 90% women, of whom 100% are people of colour” said Eric Wright, CEO of Africa MBA Indaba, event organisers.
This year, the conference will promote women in the STEM environment through a number of all women panel sessions. “We believe that by doing so, it will highlight the innovations that these women have made in the South African Science and Technology scope”.
The expo and conference will be held at the Ticketpro Dome, Blue Wing on the 27th and 28th of July 2018.