The Ministry of Information, Communications, and Technology launched the STEM Future Pioneers Mentorship Programme on Monday, aiming to empower young girls and reduce the gender gap in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The programme is part of Eswatini’s efforts to encourage more girls to pursue STEM careers by offering mentorship, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Minister of ICT, Senator Savannah Maziya, announced that 300 girls will be mentored each month, with participants selected from across both urban and rural areas, ensuring equal representation from underserved and differently-abled communities. She encouraged women to lead by example, calling for a culture of mentorship and support that nurtures future female innovators.
“The most important question we will be judged by is: who did we elevate, even when we had nothing ourselves? Who did we support?” Maziya said during her keynote address. She also advocated for financial literacy and collective leadership as critical components of empowerment.
The STEM Future Pioneers Mentorship Programme is designed to connect young girls with established women leaders in STEM, offering hands-on mentorship, exclusive training in emerging technologies, and a national network of female innovators to foster Eswatini’s digital transformation. The programme also addresses challenges such as gender bias and limited access to advanced STEM education, in line with the country’s Digitalisation Strategy and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality.
During the event, Dr. Ncamsile D. Motsa, Acting CEO of the Eswatini Higher Education Council, discussed the ongoing gender disparities in STEM, referencing the National Skills Anticipation Report. She called for greater support to help more women and girls pursue careers in these vital sectors.
Minister Maziya also highlighted the success story of Professor Lydia Makhubu, the first Swazi woman to earn a Ph.D., to inspire young girls to aim high in STEM. In her speech, she touched on the growing demand for skilled STEM professionals as the world transitions into the Fifth Industrial Revolution and stressed that young women must be included in this technological shift.
The event also featured a panel discussion on “Fintech, Innovation, and Inclusivity in STEM,” with experts from Eswatini Bank, the Central Bank of Eswatini, InstaCash, and the University of Eswatini. They explored how technology can bridge gender gaps and create opportunities for women in the digital economy.
UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. George Wachira, emphasized the global need for mentorship in shaping future scientific leaders, while testimonials from young mentees and a mentor-mentee pairing ceremony capped the day’s proceedings.
