Chemistry Department Hosts Inaugural Global Women’s Breakfast to Promote Gender Equity in Science
The University of Botswana (UB) Department of Chemistry hosted the first of its kind Global Women’s Breakfast: Empowering Women in Chemistry on the 11th of February 2025. Under the theme "Accelerating Equity in Science," the event focused on building a strong network to advance gender equality and empower women in the scientific community.
Dr Fortune Phenyo Sejie, an Inorganic chemistry lecturer, outlined the importance of the breakfast session as an opportunity to break barriers and address challenges faced by women in science. She pointed out that gender issues in chemistry and science often stemmed from cultural stereotypes that confined women to domestic roles. As a result, the field often failed to accommodate women's needs such as maternity leave, hindering their academic and professional growth.
Dr Sejie further highlighted that existing policies did not adequately supported women's ambitions to progress at the same rate as their male counterparts. By gathering together and discussing such issues, women in the profession, she said, could better position themselves to break barriers, ensure fair opportunities, encourage inclusive innovation, address disparities and promote diverse participation. That, in turn, drives meaningful advancements in the scientific community that benefited all.
The Global Women’s Breakfast: Empowering Women in Chemistry, coincides with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science and serves as a vital platform for women to connect, share experiences and develop strategies to overcome the challenges they face in their professional journeys. By empowering women and promoting gender equality, the event contributes to a more inclusive and innovative scientific community. Participants shares their experiences and journey as women either studying and or practicing in the chemistry field.