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PodcastDecember 15, 202545 min listen

Breaking Barriers: Women in STEM

A podcast series featuring young African women making waves in science and technology

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Dr. Zainab Mensah
28Accra, Ghana
Biomedical engineer and STEM education advocate
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In this podcast series, I interview inspiring women who are breaking stereotypes and building careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across Africa.

Growing up, I rarely saw women scientists who looked like me. When I told my family I wanted to study engineering, I faced skepticism. 'That's for boys,' they said. But I persisted, and today, I'm a biomedical engineer working on affordable medical devices for African communities.

Why This Podcast?

I created 'Breaking Barriers' because representation matters. Young girls need to see women succeeding in STEM fields. They need to hear our stories—not just the successes, but the struggles, the doubts, and how we overcame them.

Over 12 episodes, I've interviewed software engineers, data scientists, aerospace engineers, and researchers. Each story is unique, but common threads emerge: passion, resilience, and the importance of mentorship.

Key Insights from Our Guests

  • Find your 'why'—passion sustains you through difficult times
  • Seek mentors and be a mentor—we rise by lifting others
  • Embrace failure as learning—every setback teaches something valuable
  • Build your network—connections open doors and provide support
  • Stay curious—technology evolves rapidly, continuous learning is essential

You can't be what you can't see. That's why visibility and representation in STEM are not just nice to have—they're essential.

Dr. Zainab Mensah

The response to this podcast has been overwhelming. We've received messages from young women across Africa saying they've been inspired to pursue STEM careers. Some have even started their own initiatives to encourage girls in their communities.

This is just the beginning. Season 2 is in production, featuring even more incredible women pushing boundaries in fields from artificial intelligence to renewable energy. Subscribe to join us on this journey of breaking barriers and building futures.

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