COUNSELLING INTERVENTION STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND DEVELOPMENT: THE ROLE OF WOMEN SCIENTISTS. By Nwokolo Chinyelu, Anagbogu Mercy, & Anyamene Ada  Department of Guidance and Counselling, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, Africa. And Nwokolo Somti. Department of Microbiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, Africa.

Background to the Study Science is the bedrock for any sustainable development. It is an inevitable tool and its mastery is a basic condition for Sustainability and Development of any emergent world. A current biting issue in the developing world such as Nigeria is striving to resolve the wastage of potential female talents particularly in the area of science

Girls in Science Observation in our schools, according to Njoku (2006) reveal that the number of science students(girls) are lower than the science students (boys). This disparity may be due to some factors such as attitude, cultural belief, parental factors, social norms and low self concept

for Nwosu (2006)it is lack of female scientists role models. research reports indicate low percentage of women participation in science based disciplines for instance, in Anambra State, Nigeria, there are about 50% educated women but only 11% are in science related disciplines

The Role of Women Scientists Nigeria women have not risen to an appreciable height in the study and utilization of science. Unless there is effective science education among our girls in schools, the vision of sustainability and development in Nigeria may remain an illusion. It is in the above context that the role of women scientists in sustainability and development of Nigeria is examined.

Since science is a vital tool for national development, there is need for more women to be involved in science based disciplines. It has been observed that counselling and employment of good and quality women scientists teachers are some of the result oriented means of ensuring effective education in science.

Counselling is geared towards helping the individuals to discover herself, her potentials, abilities, capabilities, talents, interest and strengths; as well as utilizing the knowledge to take vital decisions that will help her to adjust and contribute meaningfully to the environment now and in the future.

Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study is to determine the; causes of low representation of females in science based disciplines in South-east, Nigeria. the extent to which counselling women scientists could be effective in motivating the girls to study science based disciplines.

Method The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The study was carried out in the south east states of Nigeria The population comprised all the women scientists who are members of organization of women scientists in a developing world (OWSD) in their various states in the south east, Nigeria

There was no sample due to the fact that the population is small.   The instrument for data collection was a researcher designed structured questionnaire titled Women Scientists Motivating Questionnaire (WSMQ). The research questions were answered using Mean, while the hypothesis was answered using z-test .

Results Findings from the study indicated that the causes of low representation of girls in sciences include among others; societal understanding of female folk, lack of female role models, negative attitude of girls themselves, cultural belief, and low interest.

The study also reveal that the enumerated roles of women scientist for sustainability and development of science among young females include among others; giving science talks in schools, and giving pre-optimal career education to girls in Junior Secondary Schools.

Study further revealed that there is no significant difference between the mean scores of female scientist (teachers) and female scientist (non-teachers).

Recommendations Based on the findings, recommendations were made among others that; The organization of women scientists in a developing world (OWSD) members in south east should visit schools where they can talk to the girls and motivate them through incentives like scholarships to go in for science based courses.   The science teachers should have opportunities for workshops, seminars and conferences to expose them to the new innovations in the teaching of science that will attract the young girls to science

The End Thanks for Listening