How female Engineers are facing stigmatisation

The Masinde Muliro University acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Academics and Students Affairs, Eng Bernadette Sabuni now claims that female students pursuing engineering courses are been stigmatised by society.

According to Ms, Eng Sabuni while speaking during the launch of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) mentoring programme at St Elizabeth’s Mukumu Girls said, “In all public and private universities in Kenya, students (both male and female) taking science related courses at the universities was only 22 per cent with 78 per cent pursuing humanities and Arts related courses. Out of the 22, a paltry 7 per cent of female student are taking engineering courses.”

In addition she said, “When I was pursuing my degree, people always wondered why I was doing a course meant for men.”

“Don’t regret being born a woman. Girls not doing science-related courses is just a mindset, we want to unlock their potential through mentorship. Parents should also support their daughters in taking up science related courses,” Sabuni said adding that, the society doesn’t support girls taking science-related courses since they will be married off.’

“Husbands tell their wives to stay at home to give birth to many children as they (men) provide; which is short-lived. We want equal opportunities for women too,” she said.