WiW Webinar - Mentorship, Sponsorship and Networks: What Actually Move Women Forward in STEM?

30 Sept 2026, 13:00 → 1 Oct 2026, 14:00 Africa/Accra

https://wacren.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x5OIWhkETjOQNlL_x2kPIg (Zoom)

Abigail Essel, Amina Ramallan (WACREN)

Overview

Women’s participation in STEM has increased, but access to opportunities, career progression and leadership is not determined by technical skills alone. Mentorship, sponsorship, and professional networks can play an important role in helping women gain visibility, access opportunities, build confidence, and advance their careers.

This webinar will explore the practical differences between mentorship, sponsorship and networking and examine how each can contribute to the growth of women in STEM. 

The conversation will also consider how these relationships can support women working across technology, research, academia, innovation and emerging fields such as climate technology.

Register to attend this webinar: https://wacren.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_x5OIWhkETjOQNlL_x2kPIg 

Thursday 1 October

Welcome & Introduction

Welcome participants, icebreaker and introduce the webinar and speakers

Convener: Amina Ramallan (WACREN)

1 Setting the Context

Why mentorship, sponsorship and networks matter for women in STEM.

Speaker: Abigail Essel (WACREN)

2 Women in STEM

Career growth, mentorship, networking, visibility and access to opportunities for

Speaker: Uchenna Stella Emeka-Obi (Nigeria)

3 Women in Climate

Career growth, mentorship, networking, visibility and access to opportunities

Speaker: Dr Naomi Kumi (University of Energy and Natural Resources - Ghana)

4 Questions & Answers

Questions from participants and practical advice from speakers

Speaker: Amina Ramallan (WACREN)

5 Key Takeaways

Speakers share one or two practical actions participants can take.

Speakers: Naomi Kumi (University of Energy and Natural Resources - Ghana), Uchenna Stella Emeka-Obi (Nigeria)

6 Closing

Closing remarks

Speaker: Amina Ramallan (WACREN)