STEM, Sports & Gender Gap Webinar
The Center for Justice and Advocacy recently convened a thought-provoking session titled "STEM, Sports, and the Gender Gap," featuring Nshuti Mbabazi Lucy and Kalimpinya Queen. Nshuti, the Lead of Africa Policy, Advocacy, and Partnerships at the United Nations Better Than Cash Alliance, and Kalimpinya, the first female rally driver and champion in Rwanda, shared invaluable insights. This webinar marked the inaugural session in a series aimed at driving this year's International Women's Day theme, "Inspire Inclusion," focusing on the gender gap prevalent in traditionally male-dominated professions and how women are breaking barriers to drive development and inspiration.
The discussion centered around spotlighting women who have navigated through these systems, assessing the challenges they faced and the benefits, while also exploring the requirements for successful inclusion. It was noted that historically, women have been excluded from economic activities, and even when allowed, certain professions have been deemed exclusively for men.
Both Lucy Mbabazi and Kalimpinya Queen emphasized the importance of meaningful inclusion and representation indecision-making spaces. Lucy highlighted the pressure on women to choose between career and family, the perception that STEM is challenging, and the unrealistic expectations imposed on women in these fields. She underscored the necessity for women to avoid tokenism and actively carve out spaces for themselves and others.
Kalimpinya shared her journey of challenging societal norms and embracing her interests regardless of gender expectations. She emphasized the importance of women's presence indecision-making roles, as they bring unique perspectives and insights that can drive change and policy advocacy. She also highlighted the significance of female representation in inspiring young girls to pursue their aspirations.
Key takeaways from the session included the recognition of women's excellence in STEM and sports, the need to advocate for meaningful inclusion in male-dominated spaces, and the importance of challenging stereotypes to empower more women to pursue careers in STEM fields. Despite the existing gender biases, there is immense potential for growth and inclusion in these areas.