The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is today 11th February, by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly. The day recognizes the critical role that women and girls play in science and technology as implemented by UNESCO and UN Women in collaboration with intergovernmental agencies and institutions. The aim of this day is to promote women and girls in science, and the day’s purpose is to promote full and equal access to their participation in science.
This year, the day focuses on the reality that science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The theme for 2022 is “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: Water Unites Us”. All activities will primarily focus on recognizing the role of women and girls in science, not only as beneficiaries, but also as agents of change and the role of women in accelerating progress towards the achievement of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
We got to speak to 22-year-old Dorcas Wanjiku, a water and environmental conservation enthusiast who is pursuing a BSc. in Mining and Mineral Processing Engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. This course is right up her alley because geology and hydrology are some of the key units to specialize in as part of the curriculum. She loves engineering because the thought of the world looking up to her to solve complex problems makes her very proud.
Dorcas is a beneficiary of Equity Banks Wings To Fly program, as well as Equity Leadership program and she says that these two have boosted her in ways she would never have dreamed of. One strong pillar of both of these programs is mentorship and for Dorcas, being mentored by successful women early enough not only cemented her resolve to be an engineer, but also gave her direction on how to go about it. Seeing women who have been there gave her the assurance that she too can do it.
The young lady who is the third born in a family of four applied for the Wings To Fly program in 2015 and to her excitement and that of her mum, her application was accepted. She buried herself in books throughout her high school education with a promise to herself not to let her sponsors and mentors down, and to prosper and one day help her family and community. She took the same drive with her to campus and she can see her dreams getting closer.
Towards actualizing her goals as a water and environmental conservationist, she is already a member of the rotary club of Limuru in which she plays a major part in the conservation of our environment. This is especially in the water sources starting with the Kiriita Forest through tree planting every year and cleaning of the rivers surrounding the area near Kimende town. She also educates the communities on ways to conserve the water bodies and how to take good care of them for their benefit and that of animals.
“I believe that as a mining engineer, I will be able to help people from arid and semi-arid areas get access to clean water through geological analysis of the area to determine which specific location will be suitable to drill a borehole so supply clean water for consumption and farming. It is also in my line of work that I will ensure that after mining reclamation of land is well done to conserve the environment, especially the water bodies and their water sources.”
Dorcas Wanjiku
What words does she have for girls who would like to pursue STEM courses?
That it is not as hard as it is made out to be. Discard societal beliefs about this being a man’s field, put your mind to it and throw in dedicated energy.