Breaking the Glass Ceiling: University of Nairobi Launches "Sisters Science Safari" to Empower Girls in STEM
In a bold move to reshape the future of science and technology, the University of Nairobi (UoN) has officially launched the the UoN Women in STEM Association and Sisters Science Safari. The initiative, spearheaded by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Jesang Hutchinson, aims to dismantle the "glass ceiling" that has historically kept women underrepresented in scientific fields.
The program arrives at a critical time. Despite global advancements, women currently constitute only one-third of scientific researchers. The disparity is even more pronounced at the highest levels of academia, where women hold only 12% of seats in national science academies.
"Your enrollment in STEM is no accident you are exactly where you belong," Prof. Hutchinson told students during the launch. "The path for the girl child isn’t always easy, but excellence is born from grit".
The Science Safari specifically targets 60 secondary school girls from Kajiado, Narok, and Nairobi counties. These students are drawn from schools classified as "vulnerable" due to resource strain and low enrollment. The program seeks to: Dispel the myth that STEM courses are a "no-go zone" for women, provide mentorship by connecting students with established women scientists and early-career researchers and bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world application through industrial visits and hands-on challenges.
The two-day event (April 23–24, 2026) at University of Nairobi features a high-impact curriculum designed to make science "beautiful and fun":
As technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) begin to dominate the global job market, STEM disciplines have become the primary drivers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Organizers emphasize that if girls do not shape the STEM conversation now, they risk being left out of the future economy.
The Sisters Science Safari is sponsored by the African Engineering and Technology Network (AFRETEC) and implemented in collaboration with key partners, including International Particle Physics Outreach Group (IPPOG), led by Prof. Frédérique Marion and Prof. Isabelle Ripp-Baudot; French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), championed by Prof. Lydia Roos; and the Embassy of France in Kenya. Through this collaborative effort, the program creates a transformative journey of discovery, mentorship, and inspiration for young girls in STEM. By fostering curiosity, innovation, and confidence, the University of Nairobi is not only teaching science—it is nurturing a new generation of leaders, innovators, and change makers ready to explore and shape the frontiers of tomorrow
