BY BANELE MAGONGO
MBABANE – The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat is calling upon Eswatini and other SADC Member States to form national chapters for Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology.
This was said by Reaboka Morakabi, Programme officer for science, technology, and innovation at the SADC Secretariat, at the Forum for Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology, hosted by the Ministry of Information, Communication, and Technology and the Kingdom of Eswatini Academy of sciences at happy valley yesterday.
The event highlighted the crucial role that women play in leading the transition to a knowledge-based economy. This forum celebrated the accomplishments of women in science and advocated for gender equality and women’s empowerment, with a special focus on Information, Communication and Technology and Science and Innovation.
He emphasised the SADC region’s dedication to empowering women and girls, resulting in the creation of policy frameworks that promote women’s participation in science, technology, and innovation. The Protocol on Science, Technology and Innovation is a policy framework adopted by SADC, among other things, to promote gender equity and equality in Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teaching and learning across all levels of the education system.
Morakabi further highlighted the importance of SADC Charter in Women in Science Engineering and Technology which seeks to foster greater inclusion and opportunities for women in STEM education and professional fields.
