The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH) is set to host a landmark high-level webinar on March 13 to confront one of the most pressing challenges in modern education which is the persistent underrepresentation of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
OIC-COMSTECH convenes global leaders to address gender disparities in STEM education
ISLAMABAD, Mar 09 (APP): The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s Standing Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH) is set to host a landmark high-level webinar on March 13 to confront one of the most pressing challenges in modern education which is the persistent underrepresentation of women and girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
The webinar would bring together distinguished experts, policymakers, academics, and development stakeholders from across the globe to discuss the challenges in education.
Held in observance of the International Day of Education, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, the webinar titled “Bridging the Gender Gap in STEM Education” will be convened under the patronage of Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary, Mustafa (PBUH) Prize Laureate and Coordinator General of OIC-COMSTECH, whose leadership has long championed scientific advancement across OIC Member and Observer States.
The event will feature a powerful lineup of guest speakers, led by Guest of Honor Shelli Brunswick, CEO of SB Global LLC and a globally recognized leadership strategist from the United States, alongside Noshaba Awais, Director of Research for Innovation at HEC in Pakistan, and Monique Lagoute, CEO of Eurêka Géo and Space Ecosystem Developer from Cameroon. Complementing the expert panel, a dedicated Youth Spotlight segment will amplify the voices of emerging innovators, including Eng R Makaka from Gabon, Samira Ramatou from Cameroon and Somto Mmereole from Nigeria, placing the aspirations and achievements of young women in science firmly at the center of the conversation.
Despite notable strides in recent decades, women and girls continue to face deeply entrenched barriers that limit their access to and advancement within STEM disciplines.
OIC-COMSTECH firmly holds that closing this gap is not merely a question of fairness but a strategic imperative for driving innovation, fostering sustainable economic growth, and achieving inclusive development across member nations.
The webinar seeks to confront those barriers head-on, offering a platform for the exchange of proven strategies, inspiring personal journeys, and concrete policy recommendations capable of driving meaningful change at both national and institutional levels.
Among the key themes to be explored are the transformative role of mentorship in retaining women and girls within scientific careers, the power of cross-border partnerships in dismantling systemic obstacles, and the momentum generated by youth-led movements already reshaping global STEM engagement.
Policymakers and institutional leaders will also examine successful program models and best practices drawn from diverse regions, providing a rich and adaptable framework for reform.
This webinar marks a decisive step in OIC-COMSTECH’s enduring mission to position science and technology as instruments of equitable and inclusive progress, ensuring that gender is never a barrier to brilliance.
Those wishing to be part of this important conversation are encouraged to register at https://forms.gle/k7VXGtVKUL45DAaz7, upon which they will receive the Zoom access link and the full program details.
