We have successfully held a launching of the STEM Education for Empowerment Project (STEEP) in Ethiopia. The project will enhance the interest, skills, and confidence of adolescent girls from low-income and vulnerable communities in Addis Ababa to pursue STEM studies and employment.

The launch event was held at the Bellevue Hotel on November 28th, 2024. This workshop served as a platform to introduce the project and engage with key stakeholders to garner support and foster collaboration. The event included speeches and presentations from project partners and stakeholders, as well as a question and answer session.

Ashley Mulroney, the Minister-Counsellor and Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Canada to Ethiopia, gave the opening remarks, stressing the Canadian government's commitment to STEM education and girls' empowerment. Clarisse Estebar, the International Development Project Lead at Humber Polytechnic, then joined virtually to provide an overview of the STEEP Project and its history. Neftalem Binyam, the STEEP Project Manager, gave a detailed presentation, including information about the project's pillars, activities, implementation area, implementing partners, and sustainability and accessibility.

After the presentations, there was a lively question and answer session attended by representatives from various government partners, including the Ministry of Innovation and Skills, the Ministry of Health, the Addis Ababa Bureau of Women and Social Affairs, and the Yeka and Arada Subcity Education offices. Additionally, international and local development partners such as SNV, Mercy Corps, Koder Labs, and Icog Labs were present.

The attendees offered insightful comments, posed great questions, and presented suggestions and offers of collaboration. Some of the key topics raised included safeguarding technology users and preventing misuse, the selection criteria for in-school adolescent girls, and the alignment with government initiatives that promote skills-based education. There was also discussion about collaboration with school STEM clubs and the potential for a math Olympiad, as well as the importance of guidance counseling, particularly in public schools. Furthermore, concerns were addressed regarding young individuals feeling that they had started their STEM journey too late.

The successful launch of the STEM Education for Empowerment Project (STEEP) marks a significant step towards empowering adolescent girls in Ethiopia to pursue STEM education and careers. Moving forward, all stakeholders must maintain the momentum generated during the event. Together, we can create a sustainable ecosystem that fosters interest and confidence in STEM fields for all participants.