Few women opt for science subjects at secondary/tertiary education level in Mauritius
Port Louis, Mauritius (PANA) - A study by the Mauritius Research Council (MRC) on education level and on women’s participation in research and development showed that the number of female candidates opting for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects at the higher school certificate and tertiary level in Mauritius is lower than the number of male candidates, particularly in the field of engineering and ICT.
Released on Wednesday, the study covers the period 2013-2018 and analyses the involvement of girls and women in STEM from secondary education to tertiary education as well as their participation and success rates in Research and Development at professional level. It was funded by the Government of Australia
The findings also identify gender variations in career/professional aspirations of STEM students and obstacles met by women pursuing STEM doctoral studies.
According to the study, less than 30% of researchers worldwide are women and in Mauritius only 15% of women reach out to the MRC to benefit from the schemes put in place for conducting researchers.
Commenting on the findings, the High Commissioner of Australia in Mauritius, Mrs Jenny Dee said STEM literacy is increasingly becoming part of the core capabilities that employers need, no matter what the sector of employment.
“Women can make a significant difference to the betterment of the economy as well as the society as they represent around 50 per cent of a nation’s population. A nation that does not harness and utilise the talents, skills, perspectives, insights and intelligence of its population will never reach its full potential”, she emphasised.
Mrs Dee further said that STEM is not just about equity, “but it is about proven economic sense”, while encouraging female students to break down gender barriers and to opt for STEM subjects at the secondary and tertiary level.
-0-PANA NA/AR 20Feb2019
