Women in Engineering and the Debmarine Namdeb Foundation are focusing on empowering young girls about the importance of studying science and mathematics to pursue careers in engineering.

Hendrina Mouton, who's responsible for community development, says the idea is to plant seeds and create awareness among more than 250 girls in the field of engineering.

"We have invited high school girls this year. We need to start deciding on which subject they want to study, so we are already planting the seed for them to study engineering, and it is our hope that after three years we will want to see some of these girls studying engineering fields at our university or abroad."

Mouton adds that science and engineering play a critical role in finding solutions to developmental challenges.

WomEng South Africa representative Nora Ndopu says the initiative is also aimed at evoking interest and breaking down stereotypes among girls.

"How do we do this? We do it through a number of different programmemes that we run, starting with girls of your age, so we start with the launch pack, which is an after-school programme. We bring about fun activities, which you'll do a lot of today, even to decorate this hard head that you will come up with."

Omaheke Education Director, Constance Wantenaar, welcomed the initiative and hopes that the Foundation extends it to other regions.

"The Directorate of Education, Arts, and Culture in the Omaheke Region welcomes the fact that you're providing this awareness campaign for available career opportunities in engineering and technology. It is my considerate idea that one of the spinoffs of this awareness campaign will be that many learners will opt for careers in engineering and technology."

The girl child has been implored to take the opportunity and develop a bright future for themselves, their families, and the country.