South African Women in Physics celebrate their breakthroughs

The month of August is not just about highlighting the challenges we face as women, but it is about celebrating our breakthroughs to inspire others. This year the Women in Physics in South Africa (WiPiSA) marks national women’s month with the theme Wings of Freedom to celebrate how physics has allowed women in SA to soar to greater heights.

This year WiPiSA will be sharing incredible stories of modern-day heroines who are pushing boundaries and contributing towards a better society through scientific knowledge. The month will be marked by conversations, lab tours and live experiments conducted by our members. We also want to encourage young women to enter the field of physics by showing them how science is an important part of everyday life.

The wings of Freedom symbolise our ability to breakthrough all sorts of obstacles to achieve great things. We regard Physics as the metaphorical wings that allow women the freedom to choose and succeed in whatever career path they choose. This also corresponds with the historical significance of the 09 August 1956 when thousands of brave South African women marched to the Union buildings in Pretoria to protest the oppressive pass laws.

As a women’s branch of the South African Institute of Physics (SAIP), WiPiSA was established with the aim of responding to some of the challenges faced by women in the field.  We strive to create enabling environments for women to thrive in their studies and the workplace because we value the power of an inclusive society.

It is important for us to foster conversations that help us breakthrough gender stereotypes and other systematic issues that make it difficult for women to join the profession or even stay in it. We want to see more young girls choosing a career in physics and thus becoming a great part of solving problems in their communities by coming up with ground-breaking inventions.