01 May 2018

Women are as capable as their male counterparts and should be involved in innovation and the development of industries, says Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Ms Bogolo Kenewendo.

Speaking at the Girls Excelling in Mathematics and Science (GEMS) mentorship programme at Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) recently, Ms Kenewendo urged women to uplift themselves and be motivated. She told them that they had the ability to perform at high levels like their male colleagues, and urged them to learn, identify their career paths and make a positive impact wherever they were.

Ms Kenewendo noted that the fair provided girls in mathematics and science an opportunity to make better choices and inspire other girls to build their  careers.

She noted that the two subjects used to be associated with males, but that women were also getting interested in science and mathematics related careers.

Ms Kenewendo said the fair could help women to reach the stars, and urged them to work hard and strive for academic growth.

“I am aware of the challenges faced by women in this country, but challenges can be turned into opportunities,” said Ms Kenewendo.

She said one’s origin and background should not determine their future, but rather strengthen them to make better choices.

The minister also informed girls in science and mathematics that they were valuable and deserved every opportunity the world had to offer.

BIUST’s pre-university and academic programmes director, Dr Haniso Motlhabane said the university was on a mission to transform the country from a resource to a knowledge-based economy.

He said the university was engaged in linking with the community through schools in every corner of the country, adding that all schools involved in the fair were said to be performing well.

He noted that 670 teachers were taking part in one-on-one programmes in the central region.

Dr Motlhabani said they were dedicated and motivated to inspire young girls to produce good academic results.

Event coordinator, Dr Kebaneilwe Lebani said the objecive was to host the programme every two years.

She appreciated the presence of young girls who graced the event although only seven out of 13 schools that were invited turned up.

Matshekge Hill School student, Ntshwarisang Mothobi said girls had the potential to do better than their male colleagues in all subjects.

She said the challenge was that they feared competing with boys in challenging subjects such as science and mathematics. She also noted the perception that such subjects were not for girls.

Shashe River School’s Olerato Ngeban said gone were the days when girls excelled only in social sciences and humanities.

She said she believed that girls had the potential to outperform boys in science and mathematics if they developed a positive attitude towards the subjects. ENDS