UNESCO-UWI Walking in Her Footsteps 2024 expands reach for young women in STEM

On March 8, in celebration of International Women’s Day, the UNESCO-UWI Walking in Her Footsteps 2024 program was officially launched at the Faculty of Science and Technology, UWI Mona Campus. This initiative, now in its 2nd year, aims to ignite passion and motivation among women pursuing scientific disciplines at the UWI Mona Campus. By immersing themselves in their various fields under the guidance of accomplished female mentors, these young women continue to chart a path toward success.

Bridging the Gap

The UWI Mona Campus boasts an impressive enrolment of approximately 60% women in its science faculty. Recognising the need to bridge the gap between aspirations and achievements, the Faculty of Science and Technology has designed this program to allow students to learn directly from esteemed colleagues in the scientific community. Through mentorship and hands-on experiences, participants gain insights that drive innovation and progress.

Lessons from Dr. Opal Donaldson-Cross

During her keynote address, Dr. Opal Donaldson-Cross, Assistant Vice President for Data and Analytics at Sagicor Group Jamaica, shared invaluable lessons from her personal scientific journey. She emphasised that young women should embrace their humble beginnings, resist the pressure to have all the answers upfront, and seek support to overcome challenges. Dr. Donaldson-Cross encouraged them to occupy space unapologetically, defy stereotypes, and view failure as valuable feedback.

Expanding Horizons

The program has expanded its reach this year, including young women from the neighbouring University of Technology, Jamaica. In the 2023 programme, participants benefitted from insightful visits to cutting-edge organisations and companies, such as the Huawei Office in Jamaica, Caribbean Cement Company Ltd. (CEMEX), the International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (ICENS), and the Natural Products Institute Laboratory at UWI Mona. These visits exposed them to real-world applications of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), inspiring them to envision themselves as future innovators in these fields.

A Collective Commitment

In his address, Alibek Otambekov, Programme Director of Natural Sciences at the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, emphasised the collective dedication of the partners foster a brighter and more prosperous future. 

"This commitment extends not only to Jamaica but also to the entire Caribbean region’s scientific community." — Alibek Otambekov Programme Director of Natural Sciences, UNESCO Office for the Caribbean.

The UNESCO-UWI Walking in Her Footsteps program stands as a beacon of empowerment, encouraging young women to stride confidently into STEM careers and make a lasting impact.

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This story was first published by UNESCO Kingston, the Office for the Caribbean.