Russia affirms its readiness to help Tanzania women join the nuclear industry

DAR ES SALAAM: RUSSIA has shown its readiness to share its experience in mentoring, education and professional development to help more women enter and advance in the nuclear industry

Speaking at the Russia-Africa Women’s Forum in Dar es Salaam on Thursday, the head of the Association of Women in Nuclear Russia, Aleksandra Ryabykh, said the meeting marks a continuation of long-standing cooperation with African countries in high-tech fields.

Elaborating, Ms Ryabykh said cooperation between Russia and African countries is expected to open new opportunities for women in nuclear science and technology, particularly through knowledge-sharing and educational programmes.

She said the forum, themed Dialogue of Continents, Energy for the Future, provides a platform for strengthening women’s participation in the nuclear sector and expanding collaboration across countries.

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“We are always ready to share our experience, our knowledge regarding mentoring and our other educational programmes,” she said.

During the forum, participants will discuss the role of women in the nuclear energy, nuclear medicine and mining sector as well as workforce development and ways to encourage school and university students to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and careers.

Moreover, she stated that women in Russia’s nuclear industry are contributing to research, the design and construction of nuclear power plants, and other technical and professional fields.

Citing figures attributed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), she said women accounted for 33 per cent of Rosatom’s workforce, which she presented as evidence of their significant participation in the sector.

“Russian women in the nuclear industry show outstanding results. They work in research specialties, are captains of nuclear icebreakers and participate in the construction and design of nuclear power plants. They are captains of atomic nuclear power plants and they are represented in all spheres of Rusatom’s cooperation,” she said.

Furthemore, she expressed confidence that the forum, organised by Rosatom and the Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission, will strengthen joint efforts to advance women’s participation in nuclear science and technology.

According to her, bringing together women from different countries will help create opportunities for sharing expertise, developing professional networks and promoting cooperation in the industry.

At the forum, particular attention has been given to opportunities for women’s professional advancement in science and technology-driven industries, as well as initiatives and programmes implemented by governments and businesses to support women.

Among the attendees were young scientists, students from Chang’ombe Secondary School and other participants from over seven African countries.