The Chairperson, International Network
of Women Engineers and Scientists, African Regional Network, Dr
Uduakobong Okon, has enjoined parents to prepare the girl child for
higher responsibilities rather than packaging them for early marriage.
Speaking at a briefing to highlight the
pre-African Regional Conference of International Network of Women
Engineers and Scientists billed to take place in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,
Okon attributed the challenges of the girl-child to parents’ adherence
to African cultural beliefs.
She said parents give more preference to
the male children in acquiring education in science technology and
engineering while the girl-child is prepared to be a good housewife.
Okon said, “Parents are often telling
their daughters not to study certain courses especially science,
technology and engineering courses. They threaten their daughters a lot.
They say, if you study mechanical engineering, you will not find a
husband. The child becomes intimidated.”
Okon who is a lecturer in the Department
of Vocational Education at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State,
explained that the conference was aimed at promoting and encouraging the
girl-child towards engineering and science-related education.
She added that the conference would also
focus on sensitising female children, parents and stakeholders in
education on the need to develop interest in science and engineering
courses, not to allow their gender to intimidate them.
According to her, the major objective of
the conference was to seek partnership with government and
non-governmental organisations for scholarship for the girl child and to
promote science and engineering education among women.
source:PUNCHNG.COM
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