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Staff Reporter
2024 is a critical moment for South Africa as the country celebrates 30 years of democracy, said Prof. Puleng Segalo, the Chief Albert Luthuli Research Chair and a professor of psychology at Unisa.
“These three decades offer us a moment to reflect on our progress in the efforts towards gender equity in all spheres of life,” said Segalo, adding that there have been positive shifts and policies that have greatly contributed towards increasing the involvement and inclusion of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
“But these shifts are not enough,” said the Prof.
In her 2017 article, “Looking through the Glass Ceiling: A Qualitative Study of STEM Women’s Career Narratives”, the Prof said Mary Amon highlights how, despite efforts having been made to advance women in STEM, many continue to lack social capital, which leads to challenges of work-life balance.
“Such challenges lead to some women struggling to attain and maintain leadership roles. In their journal article titled “The Knowledge Economy”, Kaisa Snellman and Walter Powell state that global discussions on economic development increasingly revolve around the concept of an innovation economy, which underlines the importance of knowledge, creativity and technological advancements as key drivers of economic growth and societal progress.
The shift from traditional means of production and manufacturing economies toward technology-based and intellectual capabilities has an impact on global competitiveness and economic stability,” the Prof added.
Are women playing a central role in this shift?,” Segalo asked.
“Reflecting on her academic and research journey as a woman in STEM, Moleboheng Mokhele-Ramulumo, a senior lecturer in the School of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education at North West university has seen firsthand how vital it is to engage and inspire the next generation in STEM fields,” said Segalo.
“The role of women in STEM goes far beyond simply meeting quotas; it involves bringing diverse perspectives that can lead to more comprehensive and innovative solutions to the world’s challenges.
“Women often approach problem-solving in ways that are empathetic, collaborative, and holistic. These qualities are invaluable in fields like science and technology, where understanding complex systems and working across disciplines are essential to achieving breakthroughs.”
Despite the significant efforts to promote women in STEM, gender imbalances persist in these fields, added Segalo.
In 2020, the Unesco Institute for Statistics reported that women constitute only 30% of researchers worldwide. These inequalities are most visible in specific STEM fields, such as computer science and engineering, where there is low involvement of women. This gender disparity is not only a concern, but also has significant implications for the innovation economy.
“Women in STEM have the potential to offer different perspectives and experiences that can lead to more creative solutions and breakthroughs in research and development. The underrepresentation of women represents a lost opportunity to maximise the innovative potential of the workforce.
“Many women still face numerous barriers that impede their progress and contribute to their underrepresentation, including gender biases and lack of mentorship. In addition, women in STEM are confronted with unequal access to crucial resources such as research funding and laboratory space, which hinders their ability to conduct groundbreaking research.
“This, in turn, reduces their ability to excel and innovate in the various STEM fields,” added Segalo.
The Prof said women are often confronted by the demanding culture of long work hours (e.g. running experiments in the lab) and lack of supportive policies like flexible working hours and parental leave.
These lead to higher attrition rates among women, reducing the diversity of thought and innovation potential. More conducive environments and support at both the personal and the structural level is required.
“Addressing these barriers is critical for fostering an inclusive environment that maximises the contributions of all talent and strengthens the innovation economy.
“As South Africa looks towards the next three decades of democracy, may we shift from rhetoric to action so that the next generation does not have to struggle with the same issues confronting us today.”
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