Women in science are said to often face structural limitations in accessing crucial resources, training and networks.
As a way to address this, the Organisation for Women in Science of the Developing World's (OWSD) Namibia Chapter is hosting a conference aimed at empowering women through technology and innovation in Windhoek.
The president of the Geoscience Council of Namibia, Anna Nguno, said it is unfortunate that in an era defined by technological change, the digital divide remains a significant barrier, especially for women in science.
Anna Nguno explained that limitations such as access to crucial resources, training, and networks hinder women from becoming powerful accelerators that drive them from labs, fields, and institutions directly into leadership positions and impactful discoveries.
She said the conference is therefore a declaration that they will challenge these limitations.
"Let us leave here not just with notes but with concrete plans to leverage technology to empower the next generation of Namibian women scientists, ensuring their invaluable contributions shape the future of our nation's resources."
The Secretary of the Local Organising Committee, Lavinia Haikukutu, added that there is also a need to bridge the gap between the industry and academics when it comes to science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
"We're not doing much of this in Namibia, but we plan to bridge this gap. In the future, we will work more with the industry and invite industry professionals to our conferences and workshops. We hope to connect our students with the industry more."
In a speech read on her behalf, the Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Sanet Steenkamp, noted that although the digital gap is real when it comes to women in science, it is not impossible to address.
"We wish to invest in digital infrastructure that reaches rural and underserved communities, ensuring that our geography is explored; adapt all our curriculum and teaching methods to make STEM subjects more accessible, relevant and more inspiring for young women; create mentorship and scholarship programmes and support women pursuing careers in science and technology; and partner with industries to create pathways."
The two-day event is the first-ever annual national conference of the OWSD Namibia National Chapter, which, among others, will focus on agricultural science, climate change, indigenous knowledge systems, science and innovation.