Women in Renewable Energy and STEM Education: Perspectives from Mutare Rural, Zimbabwe

This study investigates the opportunities and challenges for enhancing female participation in the renewable energy sector through STEM education, focusing on Mutare Rural communities in Zimbabwe. Despite the critical role of renewable energy in sustainable development, women remain significantly underrepresented in STEM fields and technical energy careers across Sub-Saharan Africa. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative surveys of female STEM students, educators, and renewable energy professionals with qualitative interviews and focus groups to capture in-depth insights into barriers and enablers affecting women's career pathways in rural contexts. Findings reveal that while female enrollment in STEM programs across surveyed institutions remains low at approximately 28 percent, participation in renewable energy specific courses is slightly higher at 35 percent, indicating growing interest. However, entrenched socio-cultural norms, limited access to educational resources, particularly in rural areas, and a scarcity of visible female role models persist as significant impediments. Conversely, targeted interventions including scholarship programmes such as the Joshua Nkomo Scholarship, mentorship initiatives, and emerging women led renewable energy cooperatives demonstrate promise in mitigating these barriers. The integration of renewable energy concepts into STEM curricula further aligns educational outcomes with Sustainable Development Goals 5, Gender Equality, and 7, Affordable and Clean Energy. Based on these insights, the study recommends expanding scholarship initiatives, enhancing mentorship networks, strengthening gender inclusive educational policies, and investing in rural educational infrastructure to foster an inclusive and innovative renewable energy workforce capable of advancing sustainable development across Zimbabwe's rural communities.

Women in STEM; Renewable Energy; Gender Equity; Rural Development; STEM Education; Sustainable Development Goals

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