By Sizwe Dlamini
After realizing the need to motivate, encourage and increase the active participation of women and girls in the fields of science and innovation, the Ministry of Information Communications and Technology (MICT) and the Kingdom of Eswatini Academy of Sciences (KEAS) held a Forum to honour women and celebrate their achievements under the ‘2024 World Forum for Women in Science’.
The theme of the forum was ‘ Women’s Role in Driving to a Knowledgeable Economy’.
A major aim of the World Forum for Women in Science is to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the fields of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and the fields of science and innovation.
Present at the event was the Minister of ICT Savannah Maziya, representative of SADC Thomas Morakabi, Chairman of WISET Eswatini Professor Nonhlanhla Sukati, Principal Secretary at MICT Phesheya Dube as well as professionals, policymakers and invited stakeholders.
The forum consisted of two sessions, the first discussing the Importance of Policy,
Networking, Science Diplomacy and Partnerships. The aforementioned session was chaired by Dr. Rejoice Maseko.
The second technical session was chaired by Dr Gugu Msane under the topic: Women as Industry Entrepreneurs: unlocking the Potential of Women Entrepreneurship in STEM-related fields.
Speaking from the heart the Minister encouraged women and girls to stand together to overcome the various hardships that women face in the areas of employment opportunities.
“I was given a speech today but I will speak from the heart and encourage you all to stand together and support each other to achieve our goal of equal opportunities for employment of women. We need to see an end to female dependency as this causes gender inequality and the eventual abuse of women and girls in our society. We as women need to become leaders and not followers”.
“An area of major development worldwide is STEM research if we are going to lead in STEM, ‘sisterhood’ it is important that we act now. There is no honour in being small, there is no honour in being in the shadows we must stand up and be counted. I urge you all to listen in these sessions and use the opportunity to network with each other to help yourselves grow. You have all been invited here for a reason please use it” she said.