Introduction
We know that giving women and girls opportunities in science can transform both their lives and their communities. Yet, studies continue to reveal a harsh reality: across South Africa and the continent at large, there is a serious shortage of skills in science and technology, with women remaining the most underrepresented.
High Entry, Low Retention
According to recent studies, the statistics for women in science reveal a troubling statement. While there is a high volume of women entering the field for junior and postgraduate degrees, the data shows a “reverse progress” as they move up the career ladder. This phenomenon is widely defined as the “leaky pipeline.” It is not a lack of interest or capability that holds women back, but rather a systemic reduction where representation drops in the academic and professional hierarchy.
Culture vs Career
One might question: why would social structures affect curriculum and scientific career development? The reality for women in South Africa and Africa at large is that being educated and pursuing a career does not exempt them from societal expectations. Cultural and social status factors often dictate that women still bear the primary responsibility for household duties. This puts immense pressure on women to balance a demanding STEM career with traditional domestic roles. Consequently, the pipeline leaks not because women cannot do the work, but because the social infrastructure does not support them doing it alongside their other expected roles.
The Leadership Void and the Limits of Mentorship
Though women are entering STEM, only 1 in 10 leadership positions in Africa are held by them. Mentorship alone cannot close the gender gap when structural barriers, such as maternity leave, pay parity, impostor syndrome, funding disparities, and unsupportive work environments continue to stall women before they reach the top.
The Institutional Reform
The bottom line is that mentorship alone is not enough to help women survive in biased systems. While mentorship helps women navigate these environments, it does not fix the “leaky pipeline” itself. We need to move beyond just offering advice and start demanding policy changes that bring “weight” to the table. We need institutional reform that balances decision-making power between men and women. Organizations like OWSD are already challenging institutions to deconstruct these current systems, arguing that we cannot mentor women out of structural discrimination; we must change the structure.
Science as a Tool for Holistic Change
Redefining women’s role in science requires a shift in perspective: STEM should be seen not just as jobs or quotas but as a cultural tool for societal change. Ensuring women lead in STEM addresses deeper social and cultural imbalances, empowering Africa to overcome long-standing barriers and achieve holistic progress.
Conclusion
Women in STEM in Africa face more than the need for resilience or mentorship. Systemic barriers, cultural expectations, institutional bias, and limited support block leadership paths. To stop the pipeline from leaking, policy reforms must create environments where women are empowered to lead, truly decolonizing and reshaping science’s future.
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