This year’s International Day of the Girl theme is ‘Girls’ vision for the future’. With the right support, resources and opportunities, the potential of the world’s more than 1.1 billion girls is limitless. And when girls lead, the impact is immediate and wide reaching: families, communities and economies are all stronger, our future brighter. Which is why investing in girls’ education is a fundamental building block.

Given the right opportunities and investment in proven solutions every girl can fulfil her potential. An education in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), as well as access to vocational, financial skills and green skills, can not only provide a satisfying career, but also help nurture a love for the environment and the sciences behind environmental awareness and protection.

To mark International Day of the Girl 2024, we spoke with Judy Ngungi of the Montreal Protocol Ozone Secretariat about her education journey. Below, she describes her experience of embracing the STEM subjects at school that fostered a love of science and nature that ultimately led to a career in environmental protection. 

Which STEM subjects did you study at school and which did you enjoy the most? 

From a young age, I have enjoyed science subjects. I studied biology, physics and chemistry in high school. In particular, I took a keen interest in chemistry which provided a deep understanding of how elements interact, react, and transform in nature.

After school you went on to study environmental science and masters in Energy Policy. What inspired you at school, from your learning, to further pursue environmental studies?

My inspiration to pursue a science-related bachelor’s and master’s degree stemmed from my participation and involvement in Science Fairs while in high school. These opportunities provided an insight into how research and technology can help solve day-to-day problems. 

I also noticed that my natural environment was changing, I decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in environmental science as it provided a holistic picture of how human activities impact the environment (water, air, and land). The degree in Environmental Science emphasized the need to invest in research, technologies and policies that offer solutions to these challenges.

You now work for the Montreal Protocol which protects the ozone layer and the environment. How has your foundation in STEMS at school brought you to this point? 

My background and foundation in sciences such as chemistry and biology has been key in undertaking tasks in my current position of Environment Affairs Assistant at the Secretariat of the Montreal Protocol. I conduct research on the effects of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) on ozone layer recovery and on terrestrial life on Earth. I am glad to be part of a team that is providing solutions to the present environmental challenges and inspiring hope to younger girls who want to join the environmental protection campaign.

What advice would you give young girls who want to pursue a career in environmental protection? 

I believe that young girls can make a great impact in science. They should go ahead to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematical fields. Regardless of age or gender, we all have a responsibility to find solutions to the current environmental problems.  I, therefore, encourage young girls to pursue their dreams and to have the courage to follow in the footsteps of the women in science who paved the way for us.