WomenIn Festival: Women breaking barriers from STEM to sports

The WomenIN Festival in Cape Town was more than a gathering — it was a space where women from many industries came together to share, listen and learn.

For Carol Zethu Ngwenya, who recently completed her PhD in chemical engineering, it was her first time at the festival. She shares that she found herself surrounded by women in sports, business, science and more — each with their own journeys, challenges and triumphs.

In a discussion with women in sports, she says she learnt about biological and professional obstacles those athletes faced – challenges very different from what she knows on the STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics] side.

But what stood out to her was a shared lesson: success often grows from setbacks and resilience. Reflecting on her own path, she asserts: “You can do whatever you put your mind into. Science is also for the girls.”

She said the WomenIN Festival was a powerful reminder that industries may differ, but determination, resilience and community support are universal.