11 February, Apia – More Pacific girls are being encouraged to see themselves as future leaders in weather and climate science, following an interactive International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) event held today in Apia.
The half-day programme, hosted by the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) in partnership with the IMAGINE Science Centre Samoa, celebrated Pacific women’s leadership in meteorology, hydrology and climate services (HydroMet) and aimed to inspire the next generation to pursue science careers.
In welcoming students, Ms Patricia Mallam, Knowledge Broker for the Climate Services and Related Applications (ClimSA) Programme at SPREP, said the region cannot afford to miss out on the talent of young women.
“Every cyclone, every flood and every drought reminds us that science saves lives. We need Pacific girls at the centre of that work. We need smart, courageous women leading in hydro-meteorology, climate, fisheries and disaster response – not watching from the sidelines, but designing the forecasts, making the calls and shaping the decisions that keep our families and villages safe,” Ms Mallam said.
During the programme, students met women from SPREP’s Climate Science and Information Team, heard first-hand stories about their study pathways and careers, and took part in hands-on science activities led by IMAGINE Science Centre Samoa. The girls were able to ask questions about subject choices, scholarships and real job experiences in HydroMet and related fields.
Aligned with the 2026 global theme, “From Vision to Impact: Redefining STEM by Closing the Gender Gap”, the event brought together 62 students from four secondary schools – St Mary’s College, Papauta Girls College, Maluafou College and Le Amosa College.
International Day of Women and Girls in Science is a United Nations observance that seeks to honour women who have broken barriers in science, inspire girls to dream big in STEM, and push for equal opportunities in scientific careers. For the Pacific, increasing the number of women in HydroMet is critical to improving early warning systems, building resilience and protecting communities from climate-related disasters.
SPREP and IMAGINE Science Centre Samoa plan to continue working together to create more opportunities for Pacific girls to engage with science, technology, engineering and mathematics and to see HydroMet as a rewarding and impactful career choice.