Is Africa doing enough to get women involved in science?

“I think historically, science or STEM related subjects have not been encouraged for young girls to participate in. It’s generally been viewed as a male dominated industry” – Lerato Kubushi, African Leadership Academy In today’s Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje speaks to four teenagers from Tunisia, Lesotho, Nigeria Zimbabwe and their teacher from Ghana about why African women are underrepresented in science and what’s being done about it. According to a recent United Nations Commission for Africa report, women make up only 20% of the science and engineering field on the continent. This, however, isn’t to say that Africa hasn’t produced people who are excelling in this sector and doing exceptional things.

Back in 2002, Mark Shuttleworth gained worldwide fame when he became the first South African in space. 20 years later Sara Sabry became the first Egyptian and African woman to go to space. But is enough being done to ensure that more women get to reach the same heights?