By Prince Osuagwu

WOMEN In Technology In Nigeria, WITIN  has clinched  this year’s Inspiring Women in Science Outreach Award .

The organisation was recognised for its efforts at providing solutions to help spur representation of girls in STEM in health, security, safe and supportive environment, through its Girls STEM Clubs and Outreaches.

 Executive Director and Founder of WITIN Girls STEM Clubs & Outreaches, Martha Alade, who received the award in London, said: “It is both humbling and affirming to be presented with this award. We approach girls in underserved areas with a single idea that access to knowledge is a human right. At WITIN, we work extremely hard to be an inspiration to girls who otherwise would not have these opportunities, and we persist because there is a great need.”

The organizers of the award said they were impressed by WITIN’s clear aims, with goals that are aligned to their mission to expand representation in STEM. They also noted the focus on girls and teachers as well as the organisation’s drawing on the strengths of the community and using their teachers’ network aided the decision to bestow the group with the award.

Editor in Chief of Nature, Dr Magdalena Skipper, said: “Diversity of thought fuels innovation, so when women and girls are empowered to contribute their skills and talents in research we all benefit from the results. Science shapes the future and it is crucial that women are equally represented in research.

We must ensure that girls and women see no limits to their aspirations.” The Nature Awards for Inspiring Women in Science is held by Nature Awards in partnership with The Estée Lauder Companies. The award rewards those, who are working to encourage girls and women ‘to engage with STEM’ subjects and who work to support women to stay in STEM careers around the world.

The Scientific Achievement Award recognises early-career women researchers who have made an exceptional, demonstrable contribution to scientific discovery and may have faced significant personal or professional challenges.

Senior Vice President, Global R&D, The Estée Lauder Companies (ELC), Lisa Napolione, added: “We are delighted to celebrate the seventh year of the Nature Awards for Inspiring Women in Science. Each year, the calibre of applications from around the world gives me great hope, knowing the impact of these women who are at the centre of producing such exceptional research outcomes and those who are working to expand STEM outreach so more girls and young women around the world have the opportunity to do so in the future. At ELC, we believe that recognizing the breakthrough research being led by women and honouring their contributions toward developing the next generation of women scientists accelerates gender equality in STEM fields and beyond. We are closely aligned with Nature on this goal. Congratulations to this year’s award winners – we look forward to seeing the results of the great work you continue to lead and we will be celebrating your every success!”

 Commenting, WITIN Advisory Board Chairman (2023-2024), Dr (Mrs) Markie Idowu, said the award, which was conferred on Martha Omoekpen Alade and WITIN by Estee Lauder and Nature in the Outreach Category is global recognition of the impact of WITIN’s work over the last two decades in the technology ecosystem.