Gbanga, Bong County-With several efforts made by the global community over 15 years in inspiring and engaging Women and Girls into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in Liberia, the Engineering Society of Liberia is Calling on the policy makers to put together a multi-disciplinary team including Engineers to review the prospects available for making Liberia a manufacturing hub.
Serving as a Guest speaker on Thursday February 10, 2021 of their Fourth Annual Conference in Gbanga, Bong County, the Commissioner on Engineering and Technology from the Liberia Telecommunications (LTA) Ms. Maria G. Harrison said, the study would review what would attract global investors into the country with the incentives the Government would offer to those companies looking to create manufacturing hub in the Country.
She said, to attract the best and brightest minds in the developmental oriented fields including Engineering, they must look at the population especially making women to contribute into the Engineering sector.
Ms. Harrison noted, the review will provide remedy on the deterrent factors in order to make Liberia more attractive to their potential investors.
” It is also crucial that we work to include those that have truly been left behind in Engineering – The Female Population. Women represent more than 50% of Liberia’s population. However, In Liberia, it is no secret that women and girls are underrepresented in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in STEM”, the Commissioner on Engineering and Technology at the Liberia Telecommunications Authority added.
According to her, their major challenges in getting young girls into STEM Education include and not limited to; the Lack of role models for girls in secondary education where female teachers are fewer than male teachers. The Negative attitudes of male teachers and poor approaches to teaching that are insensitive to female needs. Teaching methods that are focusing primarily on imparting theoretical content with very little opportunities for students to put such knowledge into use, while 35.9% of women at aged 20–24 years old are married or in a union before age 18, among many others.
She acknowledged that, For Liberia to fully realize its developmental goals, women need to play a significant role into (STEM) studies and jobs.
“To All Successful Female Engineers, we can become mentors and role models for other female engineers. Female role models are important for young Engineers. As women become more prevalent in engineering careers, more and more young girls will begin to recognize the additional career opportunities open to them. With more women in the field, it will become more evident to young girls what they can offer the world. Because If we cannot look up and find women who have been successful in what we aspire to do, we are less likely to be successful ourselves. The presence of women in leadership positions and the opportunity to network with them is vital to helping motivate women to advance in their careers. To the Male Engineers, Serve as role models for younger male and mentor younger female Engineers, do not be a stumbling block by continuing the stereotyping that Engineering is not a Female Job. Do not stand in the way of female engineers, see them as equal. It is not about women versus men; nor is it about who is better or stronger than who. There is enough room for all Engineers to work together as a Team”, the (LTA) Commissioner informed her audience.
Reported by: Joseph Tumbey
Email: josephtumbey@gmail.com
Phone number: +231777941209
Whassap: +231777941209
