Meru National Polytechnic is steadily reshaping the gender landscape in technical education, thanks to the efforts of its Women in Technical Education and Development (WITED) chapter.
As part of the World Bank–supported East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (EASTRIP), the institution set clear targets to increase women’s access to STEM courses. The results have been striking. Short-term female enrolment rose from just five students in 2020 to 78 by 2024, while long-term enrolment reached 626—well beyond the original target of 100.
Institution officials link this progress directly to the work of WITED and the Polytechnic’s wider commitment to gender equity. The group runs mentorship programmes, sensitises trainers and trainees, and conducts outreach in secondary schools to encourage girls to consider technical pathways. It also champions affirmative action policies that help recruit and retain women in STEM-related courses.
Through career fairs, school visits, and information on scholarships and fellowships, the WITED chapter introduces girls early to opportunities in fields such as electrical engineering, building technology, applied sciences, and ICT. Female trainers and alumni serve as mentors and role models, breaking stereotypes, boosting confidence, and helping women persist through demanding courses.
“Empowering women through technical education is key to sustainable development,” says Grace Gakii, Coordinator of the WITED chapter at Meru National Polytechnic. “By engaging in outreach, mentorship, and inclusive policy initiatives, we are breaking gender barriers and significantly increasing female enrolment in STEM courses. Women must be seen and supported as innovators, builders, and change-makers of tomorrow.”
The success of the WITED chapter highlights how a blend of institutional commitment, mentorship, and community outreach can deliver tangible results. At Meru, those results are clear: more women are not just enrolling in STEM courses—they are thriving in them.
By David Maingi, Communication Officer for EASTRIP at Meru National Polytechnic
