Olivia Serwaa Opare, Director of Science Education, Ghana Education Service, has called for concerted efforts in increasing the enrollment of girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Girls are currently underrepresented in such fields in Ghana, with women making up less than 30 per cent of STEM-related jobs.

The low representation of girls and women was an economic loss to the country, since STEM careers were the jobs of the contemporary society, driving innovation, social well-being, inclusive growth, and sustainable development, she said.

Madam Opare said this during the commemoration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Sciences at the Methodist Girls Senior High School, Mamfe-Akuapem, in the Eastern Region.

The event, which brought together female students from senior high and basic schools from the Akuapem ridge, was on the theme: “Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science.”

It also commemorated the 10th anniversary of the Day in Ghana, where awards were given to distinguished women professionals in STEM for their immense contribution to the field.

Madam Opare urged the female students to choose careers in science and technology to improve their chances on the job market since the world was moving towards that direction.

She encouraged the girls not to be afraid of venturing into those fields because of the social construct that it was a reservation for males and urged teachers and parents to lead in disabusing that perception.

The Minister called for the implementation of policies and programmes to encourage girls to venture into STEM, as well as create an enabling environment and opportunities to increase their enrollment.

She said providing girls with the same opportunities and support as their male counterparts would inspire their interest in science and technology from an early age.

Mr Edmond Moukala, UNESCO Representative to Ghana, said the theme challenged all to actively help in creating a future where women and girls were fully empowered in STEM.

“Over the past 10 years, significant progress has been made in breaking down barriers, yet we know that there is still a lot to do. Too many girls and women are held back by biases, social norms, and expectations influencing the quality of the education they receive and the subjects they study,” he said.

Mr Moukala indicated that ensuring women’s participation on equal terms would shape the world’s ongoing digital transformation to ensure technology worked for everyone.

He, therefore, called for the equipping of teachers and teacher trainers with modern, gender-responsive digital skills education methods, as well as expanding opportunities for girls through mentorship, after-school STEM projects and camps.

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an annual commemoration adopted by the United Nations on February 11, 2015, to promote the full and equal access and participation of women in STEM.

It was to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls.