The Executive Director of Network of African Science Academies, Nairobi, Kenya, Mrs. Jackie Olang, has urged teachers and parents to adopt more feminine approaches to teaching science and technology.
Olang gave this advice on Wednesday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
She said girls and ladies had been made to believe that most aspects of science and technology were dangerous and sturdy which gave an impression that they were not feminine.
She, therefore, advised parents and teachers not to teach females that women did have to adapt to a masculine culture or nature to be successful in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
According to her “ both parents and teachers have the task of dismantling sexist stereotypes that keep girls away from STEM and shouldn’t assume that making a toy pink will be enough.
“ Stereotypes such as female students need to position or behave themselves as non-feminine or masculine to be appreciated in the science and technology field.
“ The norm is usually for them not to wear makeup or heels or even get manicures; sometimes they have been taught not to even be dressed in bright clothings.
“ Stereotypes like this keep girls away from STEM which shouldn’t be so.’’
She stated that if parents and teachers stopped portraying science and technology as being tough, dirty, hard and sturdy female participation would increase. (NAN)
