Strategic mentorship to improve the representation of women in science and technology

Abstract

In light of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February, Dr Vashnee Govender, a lecturer in Veterinary Public Health in the Faculty of Veterinary Science, details how strategic mentorship will improve the representation of women in science and technology fields. The global under-representation of women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is well documented. Science and technology are fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. These goals require holistic, sustainable solutions that can be constructed only through the collaboration of multidisciplinary teams, which include diverse perspectives. Women enhance decision-making by bringing different perspectives and voices to the table, as they frequently act as caregivers and are able to multitask in running households.