ID: 1546
Presenting Author: Chinyere Igwegbe
Session: 758 - Reframing Impact Assessment Narratives in Africa: Combating Misinformation, Power Asymmetries, and Distrust in Development
Status: pending
The study promotes environmental literacy among Abuja schoolgirls through participatory education and mentorship, addressing misinformation, building trust, and fostering inclusion to inspire future
Strengthening environmental literacy among young girls is fundamental to achieving inclusive and sustainable environmental governance. Yet, persistent gender gaps in environmental and engineering education limit girls’ participation in sustainability leadership. The study explores innovative approaches to cultivating environmental awareness and technical curiosity among teenage girls in secondary schools within Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
Using a participatory, communication-focused model, the project combined interactive engagement forums with the administration of structured questionnaires to assess perceptions, interests, and barriers influencing girls’ involvement in environmental studies. The engagement sessions introduced core environmental engineering themes waste management, renewable energy, and water quality through hands-on demonstrations, group discussions, and mentorship by female environmental professionals. The questionnaires captured participants’ understanding of environmental issues, sources of information, and attitudes toward pursuing environmental careers.
Preliminary findings reveal enthusiasm and willingness to engage but also highlight limited access to accurate environmental information, weak guidance systems, and societal stereotypes about science-based careers for women. The study underscores the importance of building trust, promoting inclusion, and countering misinformation through participatory learning and consistent mentorship.
This initiative reframes education as a platform for empowerment and bridging knowledge gaps.
She is currently the Vice President of AEIAN an IAIA Affiliate and also the vice president of Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN)
Coauthor 1: Adegboyega Lawal