Salutation: Chairman, invited speakers, guests, and students.
My name is Enoch Okonah Okomfo, the policy and advocacy director of SIDH-Africa. I am here
to read the speech on behalf of Dr. Owusu Nyarko-Boateng, the MD of SIDH-Africa.
It is with great pleasure and honor that I stand before you today as the main speaker of this historic
event commemorating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11th February every
year. Our gathering today is a celebration of women and girls in the fields of Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
Significance of the Day
The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is a day set aside by the UN to promote women
and girls in science. The day stands to recognize the remarkable achievements and invaluable
contributions of women and girls in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This
day emphasizes the paramount importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women within
the scientific community. The theme for the 2024 celebration, “Advocating for Inclusion – highlights
the imperative to enhance the participation of women in decision-making processes and leadership
roles in STEM”.
Collaborative Initiative
In alignment with this global initiative, Smart Innovations and Digital Africa (SIDH-Africa), in
collaboration with the Optical Society of UENR (OSU) – the society president is here with us today,
the Department of Computer Science and Informatics (UENR) – the HoD is here with us, and the
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (UENR) – the HoD is with us today, are excited
about commemorating this day with the girls of Notre Dame SHS in Fiapre, Sunyani.
About SIDH-Africa
SIDH-Africa, a non-governmental organization devoted to harnessing technology for social change,
firmly believes that technology serves as a catalyst for positive transformation and is passionate about
making it accessible to all.
At the forefront of providing quality training to students, professionals, and business start-ups
delivering digital solutions, SIDH-Africa reflects our collective commitment to advancing a more
inclusive and diverse future in STEM. We are excited about the prospect of empowering the next
generation of female leaders in these fields.
The Bright Future of STEM
Encouraging girls to pursue STEM programs at the higher education level is a crucial step, and we
advocate for organizations to make deliberate decisions to sponsor girls, grant scholarships, and offer
necessary mentorship and career guidance.
Career guidance, as we envision it, involves guiding and counseling girls to step confidently into the
future of higher education, choosing paths that resonate with their interests. STEM is defining the
evolution of big data analysis through predictive models, utilizing a machine learning approach and
statistical analysis. Artificial intelligence is leading in space system automation and autonomous
infrastructure. Many girls have excelled as engineers, contributing to industrial research in space
exploration, mechanical engineering, electrical, civil, and various other engineering disciplines.
Others are making remarkable strides in computing and biological sciences.
The future is indeed bright, and the myriad options available for girls and women are realized through
thorough preparation encompassing requisite skills, experience, engagement, and competence.
Building the right character formation and emotional intelligence ahead of their careers will empower
women to navigate uncertainties in the workplace, fostering good relations through inclusivity and
respect for humanity.
A Call to Action
Our message to you is clear; Study diligently, leverage the opportunities offered by the vast volume
of information on the internet, and exercise caution while managing your presence on social media.
Success is not for the lazy; build a robust learning system and surround yourself with friends who
propel you to learn and rise to the top.
Assuming leadership and critical decision-making roles in an organization requires strategic planning
to ascend to higher ranks in local, international, and multinational organizations. This day serves as
a beacon, guiding us toward a future where women and girls continue to shine brightly in the realm
of science and technology.
Contemporary women who have excelled in the field of STEM.
I want to share with you a list of some contemporary women who have excelled in the field of STEM.
Please note that this information may not include the latest achievements, and it’s advisable to check
more recent sources for the most up-to-date information:
- Dr. Jennifer Doudna (Biochemistry) – Nobel laureate in Chemistry (2020) for the development of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, revolutionizing genetic engineering.
- Dr. Katie Bouman (Computer Science) – Contributed to the development of the algorithm that led to the first image of a black hole. Assistant Professor of Computing and Mathematical Sciences at the California Institute of Technology.
- Dr. Andrea Ghez (Astrophysics) – Nobel laureate in Physics (2020) for the discovery of a supermassive black hole at the center of our galaxy, providing strong evidence of its existence.
- Dr. Sarah Gilbert (Vaccinology) – Led the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccine, a pivotal contribution to global efforts in combating the pandemic.
- Dr. Fei-Fei Li (Computer Science) – Professor of Computer Science at Stanford University, former Chief Scientist of AI/ML at Google Cloud. Advocate for diversity and inclusion in AI.
- Elonka Dunin (Cryptology) – Cryptographer and game developer, known for her work on the Kryptos sculpture at CIA Headquarters and contributions to the field of codebreaking.
- Dr. Cori Bargmann (Neuroscience) – Neuroscientist and geneticist, Head of Science at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. Renowned for her research on the nervous system and behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans.
- Dr. Rana el Kaliouby (Affective Computing) – CEO and co-founder of Affectiva, a pioneer in emotion AI. Recognized for her work on artificial emotional intelligence.
- Dr. Maryam Mirzakhani (Mathematics) – The late Maryam Mirzakhani was the first woman to win the Fields Medal in Mathematics (2014) for her contributions to the understanding of the symmetry of curved surfaces.
These women represent a fraction of many accomplished women in STEM today. It’s important to note that achievements in STEM are continually evolving, and numerous women are making significant contributions in various scientific and technological domains.
Conclusion
In conclusion, let the remarkable achievements of these women in STEM serve as an inspiring testament to the boundless possibilities that await those who dare to dream, persevere, and strive for excellence. Each of these accomplished individuals embarked on a journey marked by curiosity, resilience, and an unyielding commitment to their respective fields.
As students, you are standing at the threshold of limitless potential. The accomplishments of Dr. Jennifer Doudna, Dr. Katie Bouman, Dr. Andrea Ghez, Dr. Sarah Gilbert, Dr. Fei-Fei Li, Elonka Dunin, Dr. Cori Bargmann, Dr. Rana el Kaliouby, and the late Dr. Maryam Mirzakhani illuminate the extraordinary impact that passion, dedication, and hard work can have on the world.
Embrace your studies with fervor, for it is through knowledge and understanding that you lay the foundation for groundbreaking discoveries and innovations. Learn from the journeys of these remarkable women; understand that challenges are stepping stones to success, setbacks are opportunities for growth, and hard work is the key to achieving greatness.
Aspire to be not only recipients of knowledge but also contributors to the vast landscape of human understanding. Let their stories inspire you to reach for the stars, break barriers, and make meaningful contributions to the ever-evolving world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Remember, your journey may be uniquely yours, but the path to success is universal: fueled by passion, fueled by knowledge, and fueled by an unrelenting pursuit of excellence. So, study hard, stay curious, and believe in the incredible potential that resides within each of you. The world awaits the next generation of STEM trailblazers, and you have the power to shape the future.
Thank you all.
Dr. Owusu Nyarko-Boateng
MD, SIDH-Africa
Sunyani-Ghana
[email protected]
www.sidh-africa.org
