The participating schools take a group photo with the University of Nairobi partners.
On Thursday, April 23, 2026, the University of Nairobi (UoN) officially launched the UoN Women in STEM Association alongside the Sisters Science Safari, a flagship initiative aimed at transforming girls' participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Spearheaded by Vice-Chancellor (Ag) Prof. Jesang Hutchinson, the program set out to confront long-standing structural barriers that have contributed to the underrepresentation of women in scientific fields.
The initiative was conceived within a broader continental ambition supported by the African Engineering and Technology Network (AFRETEC), as part of its commitment to strengthening inclusive STEM ecosystems across African universities. It has now moved from proposal to full realization, demonstrating the power of strategic collaboration in advancing gender equity in science.
The urgency of this intervention is underscored by global data showing that women make up only one-third of scientific researchers worldwide, with even lower representation in senior academic and leadership positions. Against this backdrop, the Sisters Science Safari directly targeted 60 secondary school girls from Kajiado, Narok, and Nairobi counties—regions where resource limitations and low STEM participation have historically constrained opportunity.
The program was designed with clear objectives: to challenge the perception of STEM as inaccessible to girls, to connect learners with established women scientists and early-career researchers through mentorship, and to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world scientific application through experiential lab visits and hands-on problem-solving.
Over the two-day immersive experience held at the University of Nairobi (April 23–24, 2026), participants engaged in a high-impact learning journey that made science both accessible and inspiring—positioning STEM not only as a field of study but as a pathway to leadership and innovation.
In addition to AFRETEC’s catalytic support, the program was implemented in collaboration with key global partners, including the International Particle Physics Outreach Group (IPPOG), led by Prof. Frédérique Marion and Prof. Isabelle Ripp-Baudot; the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), championed by Prof. Lydia Roos; and the Embassy of France in Kenya.
Together, these partnerships brought the AFRETEC-funded vision to life—creating a transformative “voyage of discovery” that builds curiosity, confidence, and competence among young girls. Through this initiative, the University of Nairobi is not only advancing STEM education but also contributing to AFRETEC’s broader mission of developing a new generation of African innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers ready to shape the future of technology and society.
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