Session: Planting the seeds of STEM in women in underprivileged communities
The higher share of people living in poverty are women. The cause of gendered poverty is structural. It is entrenched in societies, workplace setting and embedded in personal relationships. Increasing women participation in STEM has proven to be an enabler to reduce the poverty level for women in underprivileged communities because STEM jobs are likely to result in higher wages and help empower economically challenged women.
Bio
After a fulfilling international career 20 years in the oil and gas industry working on majors projects worldwide (Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia), I founded the energy company MT Energy Resources Ltd in Australia and STEM QUEENS in Uganda and contributes to several women leadership, technical and Think Tank groups around the world. I am a champion and advocate for women and girls’ empowerment in STEM with a particular focus on underprivileged communities. I firmly believe that increasing the representation of women in STEM fields through ongoing efforts to train and sponsor girls and women in underprivileged communities will help break the poverty cycle, address gender inequality issues, empower women and create sustainable economic growth.