As the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) commemorates the 10th anniversary of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the global call for support in empowering women and girls in the scientific fields continues to gain momentum. At Pietermaritzburg Girls’ High School (GHS) in Scottsville, three pupils exemplify this dedication to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

Student Aspirations in Science

The students at GHS exhibit a diverse range of interests within the scientific disciplines:

• Zemvelo Phewa (18), head prefect, has a keen interest in the complexities of chemical nomenclature, describing it as both “unfamiliar and challenging.”
• Shreya Jangali (17), deputy head prefect, finds motivation in the satisfaction of solving problems, stating, “getting the answer right pushes you to continue exploring.”
• Megan Nel (17), head boarder prefect, enjoys understanding the underlying processes of scientific phenomena, emphasizing her passion for learning how things work.

Career Goals and Encouragement

Each pupil has distinct career aspirations:

• Phewa aims to pursue a career as a chemical engineer.
• Jangali’s ambition is to qualify as a physiotherapist in health sciences.
• Nel is focused on a veterinary career, aspiring to become a pediatrician.

The trio also offers encouragement to other young women considering a future in science. Shreya notes, “It’s a very supportive environment. We are all going through it together,” while Megan adds, “It motivates girls to follow their dreams in this field.” Phewa expresses a sense of accomplishment at the rarity of women in science, sharing that it inspires her to persist.

The Role of Educators

Jacinta Davids, a Physical Sciences teacher at GHS, highlights the transformative moments she witnesses in her classroom. She describes the “lightbulb moment” when students grasp challenging concepts, illustrating the potential young women have in science.

“In medical sciences, there are many women, but with engineering, work still needs to be done,” Davids observes, expressing hope that her students will pursue careers they are passionate about and make meaningful impacts in their respective fields.