What It Will Take To Increase The Participation Of Women And Girls In Space Science In Africa

Women in Aerospace- Africa, at the ALC conference in Abuja.

An often heard quote says, when you educate a woman, you educate a nation. To increase the participation of women and girls in space in Africa, more girls need to be educated.

Despite, the population of women almost 50% of the world population, women makes less than 11% of the world’s space explorers. Africa countries are no exception with a fewer number of women participating in space science compared to men.

Today, it has become clear that Space science remains a fundamental key and solution to a lot of societal problems and a veritable tool for development in the global community. Recently, many Africa countries are catching up in the space race by continuous investment in space science for sustainable development of the economy.

However, On the population side, if women and girls representation in space sciences increases, it would foster national productivity in many nations, and there will be collective gains in income, health, quality of life and other benefits that scientific advancement has to offer.

To increase the participation of girls and women in space science and technology in Africa, the following have to be considered.

Firstly, Africa countries need to address cultural barriers that play a significant impact on our society. For instance, Some are still of the belief that a girl should not be educated because she will end up being a man’s property, that men are suitable for certain jobs than women, that women are to take fewer hour jobs because of family care and many more. All these,  have successfully limited women from following their passion and reaching the peak of their careers.

Africa countries need an egalitarian society for women to be well represented in space sciences and technology and enjoy the development of space technologies which have far-reaching socio-economic benefit.

Secondly, there is a need for investment in human capital development, more girls and young women should be assisted with know how technology transfer in the areas of telemedicine, rocketry, remote sensing and similar space programmes through scholarship, funding of researches and innovations.

This would provide opportunities for many young women to earn a degree, kick start a career in space technology and it will stimulate technical and commercial innovation in our nations.

Thirdly, there is a need for groups of women in space science in Africa to mentor girls and young women to use and develop space scientific abilities to achieve their full potentials.

For instance, a group comprising all female space scientists in Africa, with representations in different Africa countries will play an active role in inspiring girls and young women into space sciences and foster a working relationship between women in space in Africa countries.

Also, having more women occupy leadership positions in space-related fields would stand as a reference point to younger women and spurred them with the hope to break the glass ceilings in the space science field.

Furthermore, the Governments and stakeholders in space industries need to recruit more female graduates with space science degrees. Availability of job positions after graduation for women will increase their representation in space industries.

Also, Africa countries need more specialized institutions offering space science courses, this would reduce the number of young women that separate from their families to study overseas and might increase education tourism between Africa countries.

However, employers in space industries need to make workplace friendly to women. Challenges like sexual harassment, pervasive stereotype, bullying, and similar inappropriateness that could deter women from pursuing a career in space sciences and related fields should be avoided in workplaces for women to contribute to the national development.

Moreso, the media have a crucial role to play in the representation of more women in space sciences. On screens, radios and dallies, we see and hear more of male characters portrayed in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math profession than female characters portrayed in a similar job. Africa Female space scientists need adequate coverage by the media to project their research works and to inspire more young women and girls in their profession.

In conclusion, to foster the participation of women in space science, all hands including young women, parents, government, media, society, stakeholders and educators must be on deck to inspire and support girls to follow their passion for succeeding in pursuing a career in space science for the benefit of our nations.