Women professionals in the nuclear sector have called for more tailor-made programmes to encourage young women and girls to take careers in sciences.
Speaking yesterday at a panel called to hear experiences of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers, they said closing the gender gap calls for sustained efforts by critical stakeholders in education.
The forum was held on the sidelines of the 2024 US-Africa Nuclear Summit in Nairobi on Thursday. Women professionals from several parastatals attended.
US Under-Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins led the session.
Those in attendance advocated for more programmes and mentorship opportunities to inspire school leavers to enter technical fields. Among the speakers were Sarah Thande and Josephine Wakuyu from the Kenya Nuclear Regulatory Authority (KNRA), who reflected on the demanding nature of their work. Also on the panel was Dr. Winnie Ndubai of the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA).
Women make up only 21.4 percent of STEM professionals, with an even smaller representation in nuclear and engineering sectors.
According to the Engineers Board of Kenya, the proportion of professional women engineers stands at just seven per cent.
At the forum, women working in the nuclear, medical, and research sectors shared their personal experiences and challenges.
They highlighted that their commitment to their fields is driven more by passion than by short term gain.
Thande, the senior-most female nuclear inspector at KNRA, reflected on her career choice, saying, “My family wanted me to pursue nursing, but I chose chemistry with a focus on nuclear science. As a senior professional, I have come to appreciate both the challenges and rewards of my career.”
Wakuyu discussed the challenges faced by women in technical fields who also juggle caregiving responsibilities, stating, “When you want something, run for it and stick with it.”
Both Thande and Wakuyu detailed their roles in enforcing nuclear and radiation regulations to safeguard people, property, and the environment from radiation hazards.
The forum also featured Dr. Pamela Kilavi, a university lecturer and promoter of the Kenya Young Generation in Nuclear, who announced the potential formation of the Nuclear Society of Kenya.
The summit concludes today, with key resolutions anticipated to address genders gap in nuclear-related fields.
Ms Jenkins concluded the session by acknowledging the persistent nature of challenges in STEM fields, remarking, “Challenges don’t change; they only adjust. I commend you for your resilience and dedication in facing these challenges head-on.”
