Concern over number of women in science-related fields

Women leaders in the country have renewed calls for affirmative action in the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) as well as in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) sectors if gender parity is to be realized.

Chief Administration Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of ICT Maureen Mbaka notes that Kenya as a society “needs to tear down the stereotype that the ICT and STEM sector belongs to the men.”

She says women remain under-represented in the two sectors, citing global statistics indicating that only 30% of the workforce in these important fields is occupied by members of the gentle sex.

CAS Ministry of ICT Maureen Mbaka: Women remain under represented in the ICT and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics sectors.
Global statistics: Only 30% of ICT and STEM work force is occupied by women. ^CM #InsideGovernment @MoICTKenya @obrienkimani@StanleyWabomba pic.twitter.com/SiDOUxLAhs

— KBC Channel1 News (@KBCChannel1) March 11, 2022

the youthful member of the Executive argues that Kenya is part of the global movement that is keen to bring onboard more women to the ICT sector.

according to Ms. Mbaka, the Ministry of ICT has been creating awareness aimed at bridging the gender digital divide.

Since September, the CAS indicated that there have been several activities held under the Girls-in-ICT-Kenya Initiative such as online blogging challenge, cloud computing training, e-mentorship webinars, among others.

“The initiative is aimed at encouraging young women and girls to actively pursue careers in the ICT sector.” she said 

Mbaka: We have been creating awareness towards gender digital divide.
Since September, we’ve been able to have activities under the initiative online blogging challenge, cloud computing training, e mentorship webinars #InsideGovernment ^CM @obrienkimani @MoICTKenya @Aaoko_76 pic.twitter.com/QfeNtEA437

— KBC Channel1 News (@KBCChannel1) March 11, 2022

Over and above this, she pointed out ‘societal norms’ as one of the major barriers to bridging the existing divide.

ICT CAS on gender disparity in the ICT sector.
“Societal norms one of the major barriers to bridging digital divide.” #InsideGovernment ^CM @obrienkimani @MoICTKenya @StanleyWabomba @Aaoko_76 @R_Owili pic.twitter.com/KkUdzDgmeb

— KBC Channel1 News (@KBCChannel1) March 11, 2022

Also watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P81NJJhVdwE&t=2s