The 4th Biennial Scientific Conference and General Meeting of the OWSD Nigeria South East Zone held from 4^th to 7th June, 2024.  at Abia State University (ABSU) Uturu, Abia state, Nigeria. The theme "Women in Science: Changing the Narratives through Innovation and Technology," is not just a statement but a call to action, and the SE Zone advocates for Inclusivity, collaboration and a supportive environment for women in science for national development. The conference could not have been more timely and relevant as it reflects the collective commitment of OWSD Nigeria to empower women scientists to become catalysts for change, innovation, and progress in the society.

The Coordinator, OWSDSEZ Nigeria, Prof. Uchenna Estella Odoh called on the Federal and State Governments, and other stakeholders to show more commitment towards empowering women scientists to become catalysts for change and innovation in the country. She also called for urgent measures towards addressing the structural and cultural barriers that hinder the advancement of women in science such as gender bias/discrimination, unequal access to opportunities for career advancement. She advocates rather for a concerted effort from all stakeholders to create an enabling environment that values diversity, promotes inclusivity and rewards merit. In her words, “By leveraging emerging technologies, we can develop new tools, methods and approaches that not only advance scientific discovery but also promote gender equality and social inclusion”.

Contributing, the National Chairperson, OWSD Nigeria, Prof. Olayinka Nwachukwu commended South-East Zone of OWSD Nigeria for organizing their fourth Biennial scientific conference, urging participants to establish new research collaborations that would enhance their career mobility and national development. Declaring the event open, the wife of the Abia state Governor, Mrs, Priscilla Otti decried United Nations (UN) report that only 28% of women make up the workforce in STEM, and she promised to support OWSD programmes in preparing young girls in the South East Zone to engage in the study of science. She also expressed worries that the majority of the over 10 million out-of-school children in Nigeria are girls, hence, the reason why Abia State government allocated 20℅ of its 2024 budget to education.

The keynote lecturer Prof. Francisca Nneka Okeke, winner of L'Oreal UNESCO award (2013) disclosed that innovation and entrepreneurship drive economic growth and have the potential to address poverty in Nigeria. She attributed cultural barriers, negative attitudes towards women, lack of fundamental research, lack of confidence, poor funding among others as challenges facing women in the study of science. The Professor of Atmospheric Geophysics implored women scientists to network, collaborate, interact and leverage on mentorship role among others to enhance female participation in STEM. She also urged stakeholders and government at all levels to involve women in science in policy making in Nigeria. The climax of the event was the presentation of Awards of honour to notable pillars of support to women scientists by OWSD South East Zone.