In the Words of Antonela Gorobivschi: “If we, as girls, ignore the doubts of others and believe in ourselves, we can achieve anything.”

Antonela Gorobivschi is a 17-years old student from Drochia, in the north of Moldova who is passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). For the past few years, she has participated in STEM and IT Summer camps implemented with support of UN Women Moldova.

My interest in STEM and IT began at a young age. As a curious child, I always observed what was happening around me and asked endless questions. I remember being seven years old and completely captivated by a children’s science encyclopedia full of experiments and fascinating facts. It felt like I had discovered a whole different world, where I was the one in control. Ever since I got this book, our house was always out of baking soda – I always used it for experiments, mixing it with vinegar to see the carbon dioxide bubbles form.

As I grew older, my passion for STEM grew with me. I searched for opportunities to learn more, which in 2022 led me to the GirlsGoIT Summer Camp. There I realized that my passion for STEM is more than just a hobby. The connections I made at the camp opened several doors for me, with one leading to an internship at a software development company in Chișinău. Driven by my passion and the belief that supporting women in this field is crucial, I participated in the 'Gender Equality in STEM' summer camp this year. This experience allowed me to engage with people who see the world through the same lenses as me and build lasting friendships. The camp’s field trips to companies in the sector reinforced my aspiration to work in STEM, and our visit to the Observatory at the Technical University brought back childhood memories of gazing at the night sky, searching for constellations and planets.

While there are challenges for women and girls pursuing STEM in Moldova, there are also plenty of opportunities. Women are breaking stereotypes and proving that we not only belong in science, but we excel in it. I’m not sure where my passion will take me, but I dream of becoming a doctor and contribute to medical research. I want to help others and create a better future for myself and my country. If we, as girls, ignore the doubts of others and believe in ourselves, we can achieve anything.

GirlsGoIT was founded in 2015 with support from UN Women and Moldova’s eGovernment Center, National Association of Private ICT Companies (ATIC), Novateca and TEKEDU.

The 'Gender Equality in STEM' Summer Camp was carried out within the framework of the project "EVOLVE4GE – Accelerating Gender Equality by Empowering Women through Economic Opportunities, Combating Violence, and Gender-Sensitive Governance," funded by the European Union and implemented by UN Women Moldova.