OWSD FUOYE Branch Inspires Female Students at St. Augustine Comprehensive High School, Ekiti State
From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by closing the gender gap
In celebration of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on 11 February 2026, the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD), Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) Branch, successfully organized its first physical outreach programme at St. Augustine Comprehensive High School.
The programme was designed to inspire and motivate female students to pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) by exposing them to the achievements of women scientists and addressing the challenges that continue to limit female participation in these fields.
The outreach featured two engaging presentations titled "Women and Girls Making Impact in STEM" and "Closing the Gender Gap in STEM." The speakers highlighted the remarkable contributions of women to scientific advancement, emphasized the importance of gender equity in science, and encouraged the students to believe in their abilities and aspire to careers in STEM disciplines.
The interactive question-and-answer session gave the students the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions, share their aspirations, and engage directly with the facilitators. As part of the programme, OWSD customized notebooks and biros were distributed to the female science students to encourage their academic pursuits and serve as a reminder of the day's message.
The event concluded with goodwill remarks from the school principal and the Head Girl, who expressed appreciation to the OWSD FUOYE Branch for the timely and inspiring initiative. They commended the organizers for motivating the students and broadening their perspectives on the opportunities available to women in science.
The programme recorded an impressive turnout, with participants describing the outreach as both educational and inspiring. Overall, the event reinforced OWSD's commitment to empowering the next generation of female scientists by encouraging young girls to confidently pursue science-related courses and contribute meaningfully to scientific and technological development.
