AfriKids Ghana has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting girls’ education through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) under its One Million Smiles initiative, with the aim of breaking gender stereotypes and reducing dropout rates among schoolgirls in rural communities.
Speaking to the media during the Teacher Awards Ceremony held in the Builsa South District, the Country Director of AfriKids Ghana, David Pwalua emphasized the role of STEM as a transformative tool in ensuring that girls not only stay in school but thrive academically and socially.
“STEM has been one of the critical initiatives of the One Million Smiles intervention. Over the years, we have struggled to keep girls in school, especially at the junior high level where many either get married, migrate to cities like Accra to work as head porters (Kayayei), or are kept at home to care for siblings while parents are on the farm.”
The Country Director pointed out that in a largely male-dominated society, STEM remains a field where girls are underrepresented. AfriKids is working to change that narrative by inspiring girls to see themselves in roles traditionally occupied by men. AfriKids, therefore, incorporated STEM clubs into its programming as a creative strategy to retain girls in school.
“We wanted to break the gender stereotype. We want girls to know that they can become doctors, engineers, pilots just like the men. Our sessions are practical, engaging, and exciting. Girls now have something to look forward to with hands-on STEM activities that build curiosity, innovation, and confidence.”
As part of their mentorship efforts, AfriKids recently partnered with CKT-UTAS to bring female lecturers to speak with club members and share real-life examples of women who have succeeded in STEM careers.
“They served as role models, not just to talk about possibility but to demonstrate that girls are already making it in STEM. I’m very excited with what I’m seeing now.”
The One Million Smiles project aims to positively impact the lives of over a million children and families by 2027 through education, child protection, and empowerment interventions.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Gerard Asagi|Builsa South
