Global Citizen Pledge for Gender Equality in STEM

Whether we are ready or not, jobs requiring STEM expertise are expanding across all sectors of the global economy. Research highlights a persuasive correlation between the number of graduates in STEM – science, technology, engineering, and mathematics – fields and national GDP growth. This relationship stresses the power of innovation to fuel the launch of fast-growing businesses for economic development.

In South Africa, the Department of Basic Education reports that, on average, only 23% of Grade 9 learners pursue mathematics and science in high school. Schools participating in the Motsepe Foundation Girls in STEM programme shows slightly better engagement, with 30-50% of students continuing in these subjects.

The Motsepe Foundation has hosted annual Girls in STEM workshops since 2017 to inspire girls, and boys, to explore the fields shaping our future. Among the schools participating in the programme, key challenges of outdated pedagogy and lack of resources in schools have been identified as reasons preventing learners’ education in math and science. As these fields evolve rapidly, access to modern technologies, labs, and new models of learning becomes important.

Countries in the Global North have made strides in technological innovation, but a one-size-fits-all approach to development often falls short in the Global South. For example, donated medical equipment intended for Africa’s hospitals frequently ends up in storage, rendered unusable because of inadequate access to electricity and a lack of skills for maintenance. Supporting STEM is a pathway to supporting Africa-led innovation that is tailored to our context.