The Organisation for Women in Science for the Developing World, (Southeast zone) has urged President Bola Tinubu and the 36 state governors to show more commitment to empowering women scientists in the country.
The zonal coordinator of the group, Prof Uchenna Estella Odoh, made the appeal during the fourth biennial scientific conference and general meeting of the zone at the Abia State University, Uturu.
She said such commitment would encourage the women to become more focused in their studies and become catalysts for change, innovation and progress in the country.
The professor of pharmaceutical sciences also called for urgent measures towards addressing the structural and cultural barriers that hinder the advancement of women in science.
“By leveraging emerging technologies, we can develop new tools, methods and approaches that not only advance scientific discovery, but also promote gender equality and social inclusion,” she said.
Declaring the conference open, wife of the governor, Mrs Pricilla Otti expressed worry that majority of the over 10 million out-of-school children in the country were girls and extolled the organisation for its concern for women.
Represented by the commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Ngozi Felix, the first lady urged the zone to develop more result-oriented strategies or template for education for the government and educational institutions.
In a speech, the vice chancellor of the university, Prof Onyemachi Ogbulu noted that science is the bedrock of human development and growth and assured the zone of the support of the university.
Ogbulu described the theme of the conference: “Women in Science: Changing the Narratives Through Innovation and Technology” as very appropriate at this stage of the development of the country.
The national chairperson of the organisation, Prof Olayinka Nwachukwu urged the participants to establish new research collaborations that would enhance their career mobility and national development.
In a keynote lecture on the theme, Prof Francisca Okeke urged government at all levels and stakeholders to involve women in science in policymaking.
Chairman of the local organising committee of the conference, Prof Ijeoma Iheukwumere, thanked the participants and the wife of the governor for her support to women in science.
Similarly, the co-chairman and the coordinator of Umudike Branch of the organisation, Prof Mabel Onwuka called on women and girls in science to show resilience in their chosen careers.
Earlier, the chairman on the occasion, Prof Akubugwo Iroha called for harnessing of the outcome of the conference to improve women participation in science and human capital development in the country.
Other highpoints of the occasion were presentation of awards of honour to Mrs Otti as a pillar of hope for women scientists, other deserving members and academicians, and issuing of a communique.
