26 Feb 2017

Opportunities are available in the United States of America for women and girls interested in the science field, United States of America ambassador, Earl Miller said during the commemoration of Black History month on Friday (February 24). 

Ambassador Miller said despite advancement, and sophistication of technology today, women and girls still remain under represented in the science and technology, adding that their participation in the science field must be encouraged.

He however said all is not lost as the US, in collaboration with Botswana government, continues to foster ties to encourage women and the girl child to be actively involved in a field that has traditionally been male dominated.

He noted that US government continues to avail scholarship opportunities, thus women interested in Science and Technology were encouraged to apply.   

His words were buttressed by a showing of adrenaline rushing movie Hidden Figures, which began showing on Friday, depicting the critical role African American women Mathematicians played in Space Science.

The women who played a vital role in National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during a historical launch of Astronaut John Glenn into orbit were Katherine Johnson played by Taraji Henson, Dorothy Vaughan played by Octavia Spencer and Mary Jackson played by Janelle Monáe.

The African-American women were depicted as visionaries who transcended gender stereotypes during tough times of race segregation and black domination to inspire generations to come.

Miller said figures such as these women, Martin Luther King and many other Black Americans were appreciated in February every year during the celebration of Black History month for their substantial role in American history. 

In an interview, Dr Asare Nkansah, a Black American citizen and also Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation executive director - Natural Resources and Materials said it was critical to commemorate black history.

“The system in the US is European based. We are under English Ancestry and therefore if you are an African American you find that your history is lost, there are bits and pieces that are lost,” he said, adding that commemoration of black history was done by holding conferences, music and dance  sessions and many other forms to remind upcoming generations of where they come from in the African Diaspora. ENDS