By Juliet ETEFE
Experts have called for bold and intentional action to break structural and cultural barriers limiting women’s participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
They emphasised further that breaking deep-seated gender barriers in STEM is not just about achieving equality, as it is also imperative to national development.
Speaking at the maiden ShePower Summit 2025 organised by Vivo Energy Ghana, they argued that inclusive participation of women in STEM fields is critical to driving innovation, economic growth and sustainable development.
Themed ‘Fuelling Change: Redefining Possibilities for Women in STEM’, the summit brought together thought-leaders, industry professionals, policymakers and young women who advocated for transformative change in traditionally male-dominated sector like oil and gas, energy, engineering and technology.
They made urgent calls to dismantle entrenched stereotypes, address policy and structural inequities and accelerate women’s representation in leadership and decision-making roles
In a keynote address on behalf of the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr. Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Programme Officer Miriam Boafowaa Opoku affirmed that the country’s development agenda cannot succeed without intentional inclusion of women in the STEM ecosystem.
“The participation of women in STEM is not just desirable, it is essential for innovation, economic growth and sustainable national progress,” she emphasised.
She highlighted policy interventions such as the recently passed Affirmative Action Gender Equality Act, 2024, aimed at strengthening women’s role in governance and leadership and the upcoming National Gender Policy 2025, which mainstreams STEM education and entrepreneurship for women.
She also pointed to the introduction of STEM model schools across the country, designed to build foundational skills in problem-solving, creativity and digital literacy – tools critical to empowering future female leaders.
Other speakers argued policy alone is not enough, urging that a real shift must begin in societal attitudes, corporate systems and individual mindsets.
Chief Human Resources Officer at Vivo Energy Group, Reinette Wessels, emphasised that empowering women is not only about creating opportunities but also building sustainable systems for growth.
She noted that gender inclusion must be deeply embedded in leadership development, succession planning and talent pipelines.
Ms. Wessels highlighted Vivo energy’s efforts to change the narrative, saying: “Through our internal empowerment sessions, we address key topics such as performance visibility, resilience, well-being, unconscious bias, imposter syndrome, work-life integration and personal branding” – factors that often hinder women’s advancement despite capability.
She added that women make up just 23 percent of the global oil and gas workforce and while Vivo Energy has reached 34.5percent female representation, the company has set an ambitious target of 40 percent across Africa and 45 percent at professional skills levels by 2026.
She urged participants to take full ownership of their personal and professional growth, emphasising the concept of “owning your seed capital – being accountable for one’s performance, staying consistent, setting clear goals and building a strong personal brand.
Ms. Wessels highlighted that growth is a personal journey that must be intentionally driven, encouraging young women to track their progress, sharpen their skills and always be prepared to seize opportunities.
She further stressed the importance of building strong networks, seeking mentorship and embracing continuous learning, adding that trust and respect are earned over time through resilience, humility and consistent effort.
She called on participants to be bold in decision-making, advocate for their strengths and support others on their path to success.
“It is not just about rising, it is also about lifting others as you rise,” she said.
Dr. Ellen Hagan, CEO-L’aine Services Limited and Co-founder of Legacy Girls College, also challenged women to rethink their roles in society and boldly step into spaces traditionally dominated by men.
Dr. Hagan urged women to resist settling for the status quo and challenge deeply ingrained social norms that limit their potential.
“Too often, we wait for permission to lead; but true leaders step forward and claim their space,” she stated.
She also called attention to the impact of imposter syndrome and encouraged women to embrace their expertise without hesitation.
She recommended a mindset shift, urging women to support one another, mentor others and become trailblazers for the next generation, saying: “Somebody has to start. Somebody has to do something. Let that be you”.
She applauded Vivo Energy Ghana for launching the transformative ShePower platform, describing it as a powerful initiative that is helping to drive change in the oil and gas sector and beyond.
