Young women and girls have made significant progress in education through a remarkable increase in enrolment in different sectors including TVET; however, the same zeal has not been demonstrated in STEM-based subjects and careers. The gender STEM scale still tips in favor of men in Kenya and our STEEP project aims to address this gap and ensure that Adolescent Girls In School (AGIS), and Adolescent Girls Out Of School (AGOOS) join the STEM courses and build careers for their future.

The critical gap barriers in STEM education in Kenya today are speared by the stereotypes in the cultural constructs of different communities; where some believe that women and girls are socially aligned to be high premium on family and its obligations, therefore their careers should be flexible and should be those that permit them to attend to these obligations. STEM courses and subjects are thought of as “aggressive”, while society expects women and girls to be reserved, calm, and unambitious. In many Kenyan communities, adolescent girls are heavily influenced by their mothers, who sometimes unconsciously groom their daughters to think that their place is in social sciences, which are soft compared to STEM careers. Adolescents easily follow directions steered by their parents.

Teachers’ differential treatment of male and female students also contributes to the reluctance of female students to take up STEM subjects because girls mien, they have greater expectations of boys than girls, and this has veered female students from taking up STEM courses/subjects.  

Teachers’ differential treatment of male and female students also contributes to the reluctance of female students to take STEM.

STEEP project and Its Approaches

STEEP (STEM Education for Empowerment Project) is funded by the government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada and the Barrett Foundation, and is implemented by Humber College with the support of CAP Youth Empowerment Institute with the aim of enhancing gender equality and empowerment of adolescent girls aged 14-18 from Kakamega, Siaya, Kisumu, Kisii, Homabay and Nyeri counties of Kenya. STEEP has enrolled approximately 445 adolescent girls and young women, in their first cohort of training in solar and electrical installation, plumbing and pipe fitting, electrical installation and wiring, and in food & beverage production and service.

The approaches employed by this project to bridge the STEM gender gap such as collaborations with local CBO’s, county governments, local influential leaders, young adolescent girls and boys, and with caregivers/parents/guardians have been effective and were initiated during mobilization. By working closely with different stakeholders and county government offices, the STEEP team, led by the project coordinator, center coordinators and facilitators have been able to build the capacity of parents and guardians on STEM and why it is important for their girls to enroll in the project.