By Wanjira Kamwere, Business Development Manager, MySkills4Afrika Programme
Itâs evident by the significant investments into skills development and educational programmes that Microsoft believes in upskilling our youth to have the right skills to succeed in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. But even as we strive to include as many young learners in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects as possible, our girl learners are lagging behind.
According to the UNESCO report, âCracking the Code: Girlsâ and Womenâs education in STEMâ, only 35 percent of STEM students in higher education globally are women. This gaping gender gap is especially concerning when we consider that STEM careers are referred to as the jobs of the future. UNESCO notes that a strong gender imbalance exists globally, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, in regard to womenâs representation in STEM fields. According to the United Nations Institute of Statistics (UIS) less
THE STANDARD By
Wanjira Kamwere |
February 16th 2021 at 11:30:00 GMT +0300
Business Development Manager at Microsoft s MySkills4Afrika Programme, Wanjira Kamwere.
According to a recent report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), only 35 per cent of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students in higher education globally are women.
This gaping gender gap is especially concerning when we consider that STEM careers are considered the jobs of the future.
The Unesco report titled “Cracking the Code: Girls’ and Women’s education in STEM” notes that a strong gender imbalance exists globally regarding women’s representation in STEM fields, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.