MTN Ivory Coast organized this Wednesday, March 15 at the Hotel Azalaï Abidjan, a panel discussion between women professionals in science and students passionate about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The initiative aims to address the underrepresentation of women and girls in the various STEM-related sectors.
The month of March being dedicated to women, MTN Ivory Coast took the opportunity to organize a panel discussion followed by a brunch with 100 young girls, students of Lycées Modernes d’Anyama and Municipale 2 of Koumassi who benefit from a training within the framework of the STEM Girlzs Project.
The purpose of the organizers is to create opportunities for informal and friendly meetings between young girls and some mentors. By building a network of women scientists through MTN and encourage them to pursue their dreams in STEM .
Thus, the ceremony brought together several panelists including Ms. Patricia Zunon, Deputy Director of Network Performance and Quality at MTN Côte d’Ivoire, Dr. Dominique Louisor Tako, President of the ASCENSOEURS Network, Vice-President of the LEAD4HER Association, Professor AKA Gbezo Solange, Lecturer and Researcher in Food Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Project Design, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Ms. Banhoro Raissa, Director of SIMPLON CI.
Opportunity for girls from several high schools in the district of Abidjan aspiring to STEM careers, to present some of the results of their training to the guests. Thus, the assembly was treated to the presentation of saponification experiments, the assembly of an LED light bulb, as well as the design and construction of a 3D printer and a water supply network.
“At MTN Ivory Coast, we have 12% of women in the technical field out of 35% of women employees that the company has,” said Patricia Zunon, before encouraging them, “We are cold, girls. We are waiting for you here, hurry up and finish your studies. If you like STEM, go for it, there’s good in it.”
In addition, MTN Ivory Coast through its social investment policy is actively engaged in initiatives to empower girls and thus interest them in STEM. This is to inspire and motivate them to embrace careers in these fields of the future where they are very often underrepresented.
