02 Jul 2024

Conversations on specialised fields like STEM, and how women generally navigate the workplace and their career are critical, says Human Resource Development Committee (HDRC) Chief Executive Officer, Professor Alinah Segobye

Prof Segobye was speaking during a panel discussion targeting participation of women from STEM backgrounds in entrepreneurship organised by Trade Up North in partnership with HDRC.

The panel discussion held in Gaborone recently was an activation toward the upcoming Trade Up North expo slated for July 23 – 24, in Francistown.

The Trade Up North is a mining, manufacturing and construction expo held annually in Francistown, Botswana which presents the latest technologies and equipment, services, machinery for mining, manufacturing and construction industry. Prof Segobye  said HRDC was tasked by government to give policy advice on issues of skills development and education, including ensuring that the country addressed unemployment.

Based on the latter, she said this was testament to why they should  partner with both private and public entities to discuss issues of employment and employability, skills development. 

“As you all know we are trying to elevate our economy to become a high income economy. Therefore, we are looking forward to creating knowledge society and it is critical that the skills that we discuss in area of STEM resonates with that aspiration,” she added.

Prof Segobye said it was difficult for students to choose best subject combination choices that enabled them to choose the career path that they might eventually want.

Therefore, she said it was important to note that key takeaways from such panel discussions together with expert advice from HDRC could shape one’s career path. 

Prof Segobye said it was critical that the girl child got a firm support toward choosing their careers and as HRDC they were committed to choosing ideal industry partners for development of sound professional paths for young girls. 

Meanwhile, from the panel discussion, Botswana Export Manufacturers Association, Ms Mantlha Sankoloba said Botswana, being ranked low in export performance presented an untapped opportunity for women in STEM.Ms Sankoloba said women in STEM especially in the manufacturing sector were not prevalent in the export space. 

She said the export space was where opportunities lied given that Botswana’s population did not present adequate market. 

Ms Sankoloba said the recent ratification of the AfCFTA offered women in STEM a fair chance to export their products across Africa and enjoy the benefits of open and massive trade.

She said women still needed to be empowered to access funding toward developing sustainable businesses, adding that mostly their businesses were concentrated in industries including textile and horticulture which according to today’s standards were not appealing to financiers.ENDS