Thank you to Soroptimist International Africa Federation and SI Yaoundé and SI Bonabéri (Douala, Cameroon) for contributing these stories.
Soroptimist International Club Bonabéri Douala, (Cameroon)
Since 2017 SI Club Bonabéri Douala has been running a project that aims to encourage and empower girls to undertake Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning in the municipality of Douala in Cameroon.
Some customs, traditions, religion, and even superstitions have often hindered girls’ access to education, particularly in technical fields. Statistics show that the number of girls enrolled in science and technology departments across training institutions in Africa, particularly in Cameroon, remains very low. Yet the few girls that venture into science and technology excel in their chosen fields.
SI Club Bonabéri Douala entered into a partnership with SMART College of Technology, Douala to challenge myths and wrongly held beliefs and bridge the gap. The aim of the project ‘Encouraging and empowering the Girl Child into Technical/Vocational Education Milieu’ is to encourage girls into STEM education with a particular focus on Industrial Education.
The objectives of the project are to:
- Introduce and implement technical skills and innovative ideas among girl students
- Address gender disparity in the technical education system in Cameroon
- Enhance girls’ interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
- Create awareness amongst parents, teachers and the community on the importance of technical education for girls
Young secondary girl students between the ages of 11 to 18 years have participated in the programme. So far 180 girls have taken part, with an average yearly intake of about 40 girls, however, numbers are increasing.
The girls are helped by:
- Full or partial payment of school fees especially for the less privileged
- Acquisition of their training tools, materials, workshop wears and more
- Internships and professional apprenticeships for the girls
- Offering of start-up kits to some vulnerable girls
The Ministry of Secondary Vocational and Technical Education and the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment, parents, teachers and some NGOs have all supported the project.
The project has been very successful so far. There have been increases in the number of female STEM graduates and the number of women entering STEM related professions. Gender equality in the workplace and in society is happening and females are contributing to innovation which can lead to the development of new technologies and solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Girls taking part have reported that their self-confidence has increased and that they have enhanced problem solving skills that are helping them in their lives generally. Accessing STEM related careers can increase the earning potential for women, expand their career opportunities and contribute to the industrial growth of the economy of Cameroon.
Soroptimist International Club Yaoundé
Fatoumata’s story
“My name is Fatoumata Shamsia, previously a student of Ladybird High School Yaoundé. Ladybird is aimed at grooming leaders of integrity through outstanding moral standards and academic excellence. While at Ladybird, I was a member of the Youth leadership/HeForShe which is under the auspices of Soroptimist International Club Yaoundé.
“Being a part of this maiden institution was one of the luckiest incidences that ever happened in my life. I have been transformed through the field of digitalization and STEM imparted on me. Soroptimist International has been my support through their uncountable material and financial assistance to make me stand out in STEM related subjects. Soroptimist International was always present in nearly all the gender equality related events, such as International Day of the Girl Child, 16 days of activism against gender-based violence and discrimination and International Women’s Day to encourage us.
“In one of those events, I played the role of a Civil Engineer where l encouraged other girls to embrace engineering careers. Being from a minority tribe, I was generally shy and could not always voice my opinion to others, but thanks to the encouragement and support from Soroptimist International and the coaches in Ladybird, I was able to express myself and I loved the experience.
“Since then, my self-esteem has been boosted which has encouraged me to follow my dreams. At the end of that event, I was awarded a prize as one of the outstanding female science students in Ladybird. Thanks to Soroptimist International, I am now a more confident woman which has helped, and it is also helping other girls to believe in themselves in one way or the other. Today, I am studying Civil Engineering at the National Advanced School of Public Works.”
Hawa’s story
“My name is Hawa Lea Nouria Wule. I was a student at Ladybird Secondary School whose motto is high morals standards and academic excellence. Ladybird High school is affiliated to Soroptimist International Club Yaoundée which has the Youth leadership/STEM and HeForShe clubs which creates awareness on Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5.
“These goals are aimed at fighting for equal access to education and gender equality respectively. Soroptimist International Club Yaoundé has played a very incredible role in my life from kindergarten to high school and in the lives of other students in my school. The Club encourages the girl child’s education especially in STEM related subjects. It provides prizes to outstanding female students in sciences and in Leadership.
“This made me to be firm in Leadership skills and boosted my self esteem. I have loved every moment in Ladybird as this has paved my way into my dream which is that of becoming a medical doctor. I am proud to say that thanks to Soroptimist International Club Yaoundé, my life, with that of my family, will never be the same. I am into General medicine while Jennifer, my friend, is into pharmacology at CUSS Yaounde which is under the University of Yaounde and we promise to uphold the values given to us by Soroptimist International Club Yaoundé and want to say that you can count on us.”
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