Professor Rudith King, a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre of Settlement Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has challenged Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (WiSTEM) to connect to young ladies to encourage them take career paths in Science which would help achieve the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).

She gave this advice at a Public Lecture held at the Conference Room, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

WiSTEM, which focuses on achieving active involvement of female scientists in leadership and national development within the Ghanaian context was officially launched in January this year. The public lecture on the theme ‘WiSTEM and Societal Development (SDGs) was therefore the first major event after the launch.

Professor Rudith King, in her presentation said, SDGs are the global development agenda adopted by 193 member nations of the United Nations (UN) in September 2015 which have a lifespan of 15 years (2016 to 2030). She continued that, the agenda came into being after the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (2000 to 2015). Ghana, according to her participated in the implementation of the MDGs and is currently involved in the implementation of the SDGs.

She revealed that the marginalization of women in science is a global issue with the outlook in Africa not encouraging. She stated that an average of only 30% of science roles throughout the world are held by women.

Professor Rudith King intimated the possible reasons that have kept women out of science as lack of equal access of girls and women to education as compared to their male counterparts; and lack of gender equality in teacher education and curriculum development which put emphasis on boys studying physical science and girls focusing on home science.

She further noted that Ghana requires critical mass of scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs with relevant skills and expertise to enhance sustainable development and also embrace joint partnerships and collaboration to achieve SDGs. She said, increasing women’s involvement in Science and Technology is essential in reducing poverty and creating job opportunities, because women are vital in food production and processing, water resources management and sanitation.

In a short remark, Professor Reverend Charles Ansah, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of KNUST said that women’s advancement in Science is essential to attaining the sustainable development goals and therefore, encouraged WiSTEM to make use of the platform to mentor young women in Science.