Fueling Dreams: The Journey of Justina and GirledUp Ghana in STEM Education
The Start of Something Great
In a world where gender disparities persist in STEM fields, Justina’s story intertwines with the founding of GirledUp Ghana, challenging the notion that mentorship holds the key to revolutionizing STEM education for young girls.
Justina’s journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of mentorship, shedding light on how it can empower young girls to excel in traditionally male-dominated fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Justina’s upbringing in an underserved community shaped her early aspirations, with societal gender stereotypes influencing her career choices. Despite initially envisioning a future in the arts, Justina’s trajectory shifted when she encountered the world of agricultural science through a teacher’s choice for her secondary school study.
This unexpected journey ignited her passion for sciences, especially chemistry and unveiled the transformative impact of mentorship on her educational and career path. Inspired by her experiences, Justina founded GirledUp Ghana to empower girls from similar backgrounds to pursue their interests in STEM and related fields.
GirledUp Ghana Mission
GirledUp Ghana’s mission centers on bridging the gender gap in STEM education through mentorship, resource mobilization, and strategic partnerships. By providing girls with guidance, support, and access to resources, GirledUp Ghana aims to empower them to explore their interests and realize their full potential in STEM fields. Through collaborations with organizations like GH Scientific,Innovtech STEM Center and IOT Network Hub, GirledUp Ghana offers girls opportunities for hands-on learning, capacity-building workshops, and exposure to diverse STEM opportunities and careers.
The impact of GirledUp Ghana on girls from underserved communities is profound and far-reaching. Through mentorship, girls are not only inspired to explore their interests in STEM but also given the tools to overcome societal barriers and pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.. From girls discovering a passion for coding to pursuing careers in engineering, the stories of resilience, determination, and are now poised to make meaningful contributions to the world of STEM and beyond.
By fostering a culture of innovation and empowerment, GirledUp Ghana not only transforms the lives of girls but also inspires positive change in their communities. Through community engagement initiatives and outreach programs, GirledUp Ghana is building a future where STEM education is accessible to all, regardless of gender or socioeconomic status.
As GirledUp Ghana continues to expand its reach and impact, the ripple effects of its work are felt far and wide.
As we celebrate the achievements of GirledUp Ghana and the girls it serves, let us reaffirm our commitment to supporting initiatives that empower and uplift the next generation of innovators and leaders in STEM.
Justina holds a PhD in Development Studies and is a full time Researcher at the CSIR-Science and Technology Policy Research Institute. GirledUp Ghana is her way of giving back to society and impacting the next generation, which she finds so much and fulfillment doing that.