NAIROBI, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations has called on African governments to support young women in science and technology to help spur development in the continent.

Hubert Gijzen, regional director of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Regional Office for Southern Africa, said that investment in young women's science and technology can help the countries meet global development plans within a given time frame.

"There is need to start exposing children with science and technology at primary and secondary classes," Gijzen told journalists during the announcement of winners of African young women scientists' fellowship in Nairobi on Thursday.

Gijzen urged governments to initiate engagement on science and technology to help interested young girls to become visible and later become future role models.

He said for the African Union Agenda 2063 to succeed, science and technology must be given prominence by incorporating it in all sectors.

"As much as we advocate for embracing science and technology, there is need also to support more women in science to make the gender agenda a success," he added.

He called for programs to help entice young girls to develop interest in science related courses right from primary classes.

Gijzen urged the countries to emulate South Korea and other Asian countries by embracing science and technology in all sectors to be able to achieve its development plans.

Alexandra Palt, executive vice president of L'Oreal Foundation, an organization which supports women in science, noted that it is unfortunate that there are not enough women scientists in the continent today to help drive change as is happening in other continents.

She said that L'Oreal and UNESCO are partnering in conducting an award scheme by giving grants to African young women scientists to conduct research on areas of public interest.

"The grants is given to young women scientists as a form of encouragement to the girls in Sub Saharan Africa to take science, technology, engineering and mathematics subjects seriously," Palt told journalists.

She revealed that the award scheme will be divided into two South Africa and Pan African awards as from next year to cater for additional applicants.

Some 14 women from Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria and South Africa were selected from more than 480 applicants by a jury of independent experts to receive 2018 grants. Enditem

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