Breaking Barriers

Introduction

Science knows no boundaries, yet the journey of an African girl aspiring to pursue a career in this field is often riddled with unique challenges. While Africa is home to countless brilliant minds, cultural, social, economic and? systemic factors often create obstacles for young women who dream of venturing into the world of science. In this article, I would like to shed light on the challenges faced by African girls in science and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable future.

Cultural Stereotypes and Gender Bias

I join scientist " Helen Mets " and affirm that we are not women in science, we are scientists. Women need to be granted full recognition in STEM.

In my career as a doctor, many patients find it difficult to cope with the fact that their doctor is a woman, some go ahead to address me as a nurse or even request forma male doctor. I believe one of the primary hurdles faced by African girls in science is deeply rooted in cultural stereotypes and gender bias. Traditional societal expectations often dictate that women focus on family and domestic duties rather than pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. These stereotypes undermine the confidence and aspirations of young girls, discouraging them from pursuing their passion for scientific exploration. We must intentionally fight this Patriarchy in STEM. This is the reason why Women have been written out of science history, its time to put them back.

Systemic Racism

Each year, women have nearly a 20 percent higher chance of leaving academia than men do. In addition? to this , the fact that a woman? aspiring to be in science? is African, she has to face a number? of visible? and invisible? barriers.Some of the barriers? the African? girl faces are so old that? we may be tempted? to think that it is "normal". An African girl aspiring to advance and? practice medicine in a more developed country is subjected to prohibitive, stringent and costly systemic barriers, this is not fair. Many give up on these aspirations and never reach their full potential. It will be impossible to make SDG 5 a reality if these systemic? barriers are accepted as normal or ignored.

Limited Access to Quality Education

Access to quality education is essential for nurturing scientific curiosity and developing critical thinking skills. However, many African countries struggle to provide adequate educational resources and infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. Girls often face additional barriers, including early marriages, lack of financial resources, and societal pressures that prioritize boys' education. This limited access to education hampers the progress of African girls in science and perpetuates gender inequalities.

Underrepresentation in STEM Fields

African girls aspiring to enter the world of science often find themselves in environments lacking female role models. The underrepresentation of women in STEM fields further perpetuates the notion that science is a male-dominated domain. Without visible role models and mentors, African girls may struggle to envision themselves succeeding in these fields, leading to self-doubt and a lack of motivation to pursue scientific careers.

Inadequate Resources and Infrastructure

In many parts of Africa, limited resources and inadequate infrastructure pose significant challenges to scientific endeavors. Access to laboratories, scientific equipment, and research opportunities are often scarce, leaving aspiring African girls at a disadvantage. Without the necessary resources and infrastructure, it becomes difficult for these girls to conduct experiments, gain hands-on experience, and explore their scientific interests fully.

Conclusion

The challenges faced by African girls in science are multifaceted and deeply entrenched in societal norms and structural and systems discrimination. Despite the fact that overcoming these challenges requires a concerted effort from various stakeholders, the African girl pursuing this career often has no choice? but to face these challenges alone.

I believe by promoting gender equality, providing equal access to education, addressing systemic barriers, fostering supportive environments for women and girls in science, we can unlock the full potential of its young female scientists.?

It is time to break down the barriers and create a future where African girls in science can thrive and make significant contributions to the global scientific community.