WOMEN’S participation and representation in science, technology and innovation (WiSTI) is still low despite efforts being made to promote gender equality.
Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development minister Fredrick Shava said the under-representation of women in STEM was a major concern that required collective effort to address.
“We must work towards eliminating barriers and fostering an environment where women and girls can excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” Shava said during the official opening of the WiSTI conference 2025 in Harare on Wednesday.
“Women innovators and researchers play a crucial role in addressing some of our most pressing challenges from climate change to healthcare and their participation must be amplified.”
Globally, women constitute only 28% of the STEM workforce and at senior level the gap widens further.
“This highlights the deliberate and concerted effort to create platforms where women institutions and industries can collaborate to bridge this inequality,” he said.
The WiSTI Conference 2025, hosted by the ministry in partnership with Elevate Trust, was held under the theme Accelerate Action: Women Driving Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development.
Shava said cultural biases, gender stereotypes and limited access to resources were the main hindrances to women’s participation in STEM.
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“This must change. We must collectively work towards eliminating these barriers and fostering an environment where women and girls can excel in STEM,” he said.
“With the help of the government through National Development Strategy 1 which had a plan to empower women in STEM, we must continue to advocate for policies and practices that empower women.”
Shava, however, commended efforts being made to increase opportunities for women and girls to get into STEM disciplines.
“There is a need to promote innovation by encouraging women to lead in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics and biotechnology,” he said.
“This will not only enhance gender equality, but also drive innovation and progress that will benefit humanity and contribute to the realisation of Vision 2030.”
