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By Johnathan Paoli
Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina has highlighted the need to showcase women’s contributions to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), despite the ongoing underrepresentation of women at senior and strategic levels in the sectors.
Delivering the keynote address during the 7th Annual Women in Science Symposium at the University of Pretoria (UP), Gina recognised the event as both a celebration and a call to action for systemic transformation.
“As we look toward the future, let us expand our definition of success in science. It is not only about the accolades or the statistics, it is about building a culture and a legacy that enables every young girl—regardless of where she is born or the circumstances she faces—to see herself as a scientist, an innovator, a leader,” Gina said.
The deputy minister welcomed government initiatives such as mentorship networks, women-led research funding and the South African Women in Science Awards as part of efforts to shift the landscape.
However, she cautioned that the struggles of gender equity remained a reality that transcends statistics.
“Representation must go beyond numbers. It must be measured by agency, the power to influence decision making, set research agendas and mentor the next generation,” she said.
Opening the symposium, UP’s director for Internationalisation and Strategic Partnerships, Dr. Rakeshnie Ramoutar-Priesch, underscored the urgent need to bridge the gender gap in STEM.
“While we celebrate progress this Women’s Month, we must also confront the reality. True equality means more than participation, it means women leading innovation across every scientific discipline,” she said.
The symposium’s second session, “unpacking STEM careers”, showcased how women were shaping diverse scientific fields.
Head of Corporate Affairs at L’Oreal South Africa, Thandi Kunene, revealed the science behind beauty, from artificial intelligence to sustainable chemistry.
“Women still make up less than 30% of the global STEM workforce. Being bold, building visibility and telling the stories of women in science are key to breaking barriers. At L’Oreal, we don’t just hire scientists, we empower science-led innovators,” Kunene said.
She urged learners to see opportunities not only in labs but also in industries ranging from green technologies to digital science.
Representing students, UP SRC president Vhutshilo Muambadzi cautioned against “representation without transformation.”
“Let us stop asking if women belong in science. Let us start asking how science can better serve women and society,” she declared.
In a session focused on early exposure to STEM, UP’s Sci-Enza Outreach Programme manager Puleng Tsie highlighted the need to reach young girls with hands-on science experiences.
“When girls see women scientists who look like them, when they touch, build and experiment, science becomes part of their normal. It becomes theirs,” Tsie said.
This sentiment was echoed by panellists including Hafsa Essop from the university’s radiography department, TuksSport High School head girl Thato Semono and Universities South Africa CEO Phethiwe Matutu.
They spoke about overcoming self-doubt, navigating male-dominated classrooms and the importance of safe spaces where young women are encouraged to “dream boldly and fail forward”.
UP Vice-Principal for Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Education Sunil Maharaj noted that 57% of the university’s academics were women, with women also holding 50% of its prestigious South African Research Council’s research chairs.
“My heartfelt wish is that in the near future we can dispense with terms like ‘male-dominated world’ as a never-to-be-repeated anachronism,” Maharaj said.
As proceedings closed, Gina stressed that gender equity in STEM would not occur by accident, but must be designed, championed and sustained.
INSIDE EDUCATION